Conformational homogeneity in molecular recognition by proteolytic enzymes.

Crystal structures for several hundred protease-inhibitor complexes have been analysed and their superimpositions have been used to demonstrate a universal relationship between inhibitor/substrate conformation and molecular recognition by all aspartic, serine, cysteine and metallo proteases. Proteases universally recognize an extended beta strand conformation in all their peptidic (and non-peptidic) inhibitors and substrate analogues without significant exceptions. This conformational homogeneity is illustrated here for a subset of 180 protease-inhibitor structures which are displayed as (a) structural overlays of multiple inhibitors for each of eight aspartic, eight serine, six metallo and five cysteine proteases; (b) single inhibitors each bound to different proteases; and (c) Ramachandran plots of peptide or pseudo-peptide dihedral angle pairs which demonstrate beta strands (Phi -54 degrees to -173 degrees, Psi 24 degrees to 174 degrees ) like those normally found paired in proteins as beta sheets. However, unlike beta sheets, alpha and 3(10) helices, beta and gamma turns, where the folded main chain amide components are intramolecularly hydrogen bonded and thus unavailable for interaction with proteins, an inhibitor/substrate in an isolated beta strand conformation provides maximum exposure of its hydrogen bonding donors/acceptors and side chain components to a putative protease receptor. This analysis highlights the advantages of a strand conformation over other elements of secondary structure for protease recognition and may lead to generic strategies for inhibitor design. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.