The role of conformational change in serpin structure and function

Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 1993 papers

Abstract

Serpins are members of a family of structurally related protein inhibitors of serine proteinases, with molecular masses between 40 and 100kDa. In contrast to other, simpler, proteinase inhibitors, they may interact with proteinases as inhibitors, as substrates, or as both. They undergo conformational interconversions upon complex formation with proteinase, upon binding of some members to heparin, upon proteolytic cleavage at the reactive center, and under mild denaturing conditions. These conformational changes appear to be critical in determining the properties of the serpin. The structures and stabilities of these various forms may differ significantly. Although the detailed structural changes required for inhibition of proteinase have yet to be worked out, it is clear that the serpin does undergo a major conformational change. This is in contrast to other, simpler, families of protein inhibitors of serine proteinases, which bind in a substrate-like or product-like manner. Proteolytic cleavage of the serpin can result in a much more stable protein with new biological properties such as chemo-attractant behaviour. These structural transformations in serpins provide opportunities for regulation of the activity and properties of the inhibitor and are likely be important in vivo, where serpins are involved in blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, complement activation and inflammation.

Related Papers

• → The High Resolution Crystal Structure of a Native Thermostable Serpin Reveals the Complex Mechanism Underpinning the Stressed to Relaxed Transition(2004)33 cited
• → The Conformational Dynamics of a Metastable Serpin Studied by Hydrogen Exchange and Mass Spectrometry(2006)56 cited
• → Computational Methods for Studying Serpin Conformational Change and Structural Plasticity(2011)6 cited
• → Structure of a Serpin-Enzyme Complex Probed by Cysteine Substitutions and Fluorescence Spectroscopy(2001)9 cited
• TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING OF HELIX B BASED CONFORMATIONAL DISEASES IN SERPIN(2013)