[The sequence of the alpha-amylase inhibitor Hoe-467 A (alpha-amylase inactivator Hoe-467 A) from Streptomyces tendae 4158].

An alpha-amylase inhibitor isolated from Streptomyces tendae, strain 4158 was re-purified by chromatography on CM- and DEAE-cellulose column. Two inhibitors could be characterized: alpha-amylase inhibitor Hoe-467 A (with aspartic acid as N-terminal residue), and alpha-amylase inhibitor Hoe-467 S (with serine as N-terminal residue). The primary structure was determined by automatic Edman-degradation procedures of the aziranized inhibitor and tryptic peptides, derived from digestions of the performic oxidized, aziranized and maleylated inhibitor, respectively. The alpha-amylase inhibitor Hoe-467 A consists of 74 residues and has a calculated molecular weight of 7958. It is composed of all common amino acids except methionine and phenylalanine. Digestion with pepsin was carried out to determine the disulfide bonds. Two fractions could be isolated, containing one cystine each giving information about the positions of the disulfide bridges. The possible clinical application of the inactivator (diabetes mellitus) is pointed out.