Crystal structure of protein C inhibitor provides insights into hormone binding and heparin activation
Author
Summary, in English
Protein C inhibitor (PCI) is a member of the serpin family that has many biological functions. In blood it acts as a procoagulant, and, in the seminal vesicles, it is required for spermatogenesis. The activity of PCI is affected by heparin binding in a manner unique among the heparin binding serpins, and, in addition, PCI binds hydrophobic hormones with apparent specificity for retinoids. Here we present the 2.4 Angstrom crystallographic structure of reactive center loop (RCL) cleaved PCI. A striking feature of the structure is a two-turn N-terminal shortening of helix A, which creates a large hydrophobic pocket that docking studies indicate to be the retinoid binding site. On the basis of surface electrostatic properties, a novel mechanism for heparin activation is proposed.
Department/s
Publishing year
2003
Language
English
Pages
205-215
Publication/Series
Structure
Volume
11
Issue
2
Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Cell Press
Topic
- Medicinal Chemistry
Status
Published
Research group
- Clinical Chemistry, Malmö
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0969-2126