A Proteinase K Inhibitor Using α,β-Unsaturated (Dehydro) Residues: A Presumptive Model

• Published in: Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics Vol. 15; no. 6; pp. 1053 - 1058
• Main Authors: Rao, Gita Subba, Arora, Sneh, Kataria, Sarika
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Group 01.06.1998
• Subjects: Binding Sites; Endopeptidase K - antagonists & inhibitors; Endopeptidase K - chemistry; Enzyme Inhibitors - chemistry; Models, Molecular
• ISSN: 0739-1102; 1538-0254
• DOI: 10.1080/07391102.1998.10509000

Enzymes of the subtilisin family, of which proteinase K is a member, have been studied extensively on account of their numerous biological applications. Specific inhibitors of the proteinases are of immense importance in regulating their activity so as to protect the cells against uncontrolled proteolysis. Using the specific design principles of peptides containing dehydro-Alanine (ΔAla), generated by our theoretical calculations, we present here the design of an inhibitor of proteinase K. Energy minimization and molecular modeling of the interaction of the designed tetrapeptide with the recognition site of proteinase K indicate that it is an effective inhibitor.