Abstract
α1-Antichymotrypsin, a member of the serpins, is the predominant plasma inhibitor of neutrophil cathepsin G. The aim of this study was to purify ostrich α1-antichymotrypsin and to compare its biochemical properties with those of other species. Ostrich α1-antichymotrypsin was purified from serum by ammonium sulphate fractionation, QAE-Sephadex C-50 and phenyl-Toyopearl chromatography. N-terminal sequence, amino acid composition, molecular mass, isoelectric point and reaction with cathepsin G, elastase and chymotrypsin, were determined. SDS-PAGE revealed a M(r) of 55 000 for ostrich α1-antichymotrypsin and pI values of 6.8 and 4.1-4.3 were obtained. The amino acid composition revealed 444 residues and the N-terminal sequence of the first 20 residues revealed a homology of 30% when compared with several other α1-antichymotrypsin sequences. Total inhibition of cathepsin G by ostrich α1-antichymotrypsin was found at a 4:1 molar ratio of inhibitor to enzyme which was similar to that found for commercial α1-antichymotrypsin. Immunological studies highlighted the lack of cross-reactivity between ostrich and human α1-antichymotrypsin. The study indicated that ostrich α1-antichymotrypsin-like molecule exhibited similar properties to human α1-antichymotrypsin although there were notable differences.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 595-603 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1997 Apr |
Keywords
- Inhibitor
- Ostrich
- Serum
- α-Antichymotrypsin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology