Biomaterial Database

Plasma arginine esterase in cystic fibrosis: kinetics of activation, identification as plasma kallikrein, reaction with alpha 2-macroglobulin and comparison with levels in normal plasma. 1982

A F Bury, and A J Barrett

Treatment of normal plasma with chloroform and ellagic acid yielded esterase activity against tosylarginine methyl ester, which reached a maximum within 2 h. After 2 h most or all of the activity as resistant to inhibition by soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI), but was still sensitive to the low molecular weight inhibitors di-isopropyl fluorophosphate, aprotinin and prolyl-phenylalanyl-arginyl chloromethane. The activity ran in gel chromatography with alpha 2 macroglobulin (ampha 2M), as if it were due to an alpha 2M proteinase complex. The generation of the arginine esterase activity by chloroform and ellagic acid was apparently dependent on the activation of factor XII, being blocked by Polybrene. In plasma pretreated with methylamine-HCl (an inactivator of alpha 2M), the arginine esterase was 95% sensitive to inhibition by STI. With regard to substrate specificity, inhibition characteristics, and gel chromatographic behaviour, it was indistinguishable from plasma kallikrein (EC 3.4.21.34, formerly 3.4.21.8). The chloroform and ellagic acid treatment of plasma resulted in a disappearance of prokallikrein simultaneous with the appearance of the arginine esterase. By these criteria, the arginine esterase activity was attributable entirely to plasma kallikrein either in its free form (methylamine-treated plasma) or bound to alpha 2M (buffer-treated plasma). Comparisons of STI-sensitive and STI-resistant arginine esterase activities of plasma samples from cystic fibrosis patients, obligate heterozyotes or other groups showed no significant differences in levels of activity, kinetics of activation or gel chromatographic behaviour. We conclude that cystic fibrosis is unrelated to any abnormality in plasma arginine esterase activity, contrary to some previous reports.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007610	Kallikreins	Proteolytic enzymes from the serine endopeptidase family found in normal blood and urine. Specifically, Kallikreins are potent vasodilators and hypotensives and increase vascular permeability and affect smooth muscle. They act as infertility agents in men. Three forms are recognized, PLASMA KALLIKREIN (EC 3.4.21.34), TISSUE KALLIKREIN (EC 3.4.21.35), and PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (EC 3.4.21.77).	Kallikrein,Kininogenase,Callicrein,Dilminal,Kallidinogenase,Kalliginogenase,Kallikrein A,Kallikrein B',Kallikrein Light Chain,Kinin-Forming Enzyme,Padutin,alpha-Kallikrein,beta-Kallikrein,beta-Kallikrein B,Enzyme, Kinin-Forming,Kinin Forming Enzyme,Light Chain, Kallikrein,alpha Kallikrein,beta Kallikrein,beta Kallikrein B
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D002265	Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases	Enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of carboxylic acid esters with the formation of an alcohol and a carboxylic acid anion.	Carboxylesterases,Ester Hydrolases, Carboxylic,Hydrolases, Carboxylic Ester
D002725	Chloroform	A commonly used laboratory solvent. It was previously used as an anesthetic, but was banned from use in the U.S. due to its suspected carcinogenicity.	Trichloromethane
D003550	Cystic Fibrosis	An autosomal recessive genetic disease of the EXOCRINE GLANDS. It is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRANSMEMBRANE CONDUCTANCE REGULATOR expressed in several organs including the LUNG, the PANCREAS, the BILIARY SYSTEM, and the SWEAT GLANDS. Cystic fibrosis is characterized by epithelial secretory dysfunction associated with ductal obstruction resulting in AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION; chronic RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS; PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY; maldigestion; salt depletion; and HEAT PROSTRATION.	Mucoviscidosis,Cystic Fibrosis of Pancreas,Fibrocystic Disease of Pancreas,Pancreatic Cystic Fibrosis,Pulmonary Cystic Fibrosis,Cystic Fibrosis, Pancreatic,Cystic Fibrosis, Pulmonary,Fibrosis, Cystic,Pancreas Fibrocystic Disease,Pancreas Fibrocystic Diseases
D004610	Ellagic Acid	A fused four ring compound occurring free or combined in galls. Isolated from the kino of Eucalyptus maculata Hook and E. Hemipholia F. Muell. Activates Factor XII of the blood clotting system which also causes kinin release; used in research and as a dye.	Benzoaric Acid,Acid, Benzoaric,Acid, Ellagic
D004789	Enzyme Activation	Conversion of an inactive form of an enzyme to one possessing metabolic activity. It includes 1, activation by ions (activators); 2, activation by cofactors (coenzymes); and 3, conversion of an enzyme precursor (proenzyme or zymogen) to an active enzyme.	Activation, Enzyme,Activations, Enzyme,Enzyme Activations
D005174	Factor XII	Stable blood coagulation factor activated by contact with the subendothelial surface of an injured vessel. Along with prekallikrein, it serves as the contact factor that initiates the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. Kallikrein activates factor XII to XIIa. Deficiency of factor XII, also called the Hageman trait, leads to increased incidence of thromboembolic disease. Mutations in the gene for factor XII that appear to increase factor XII amidolytic activity are associated with HEREDITARY ANGIOEDEMA TYPE III.	Coagulation Factor XII,Hageman Factor,Factor 12,Factor Twelve
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000511	alpha-Macroglobulins	Glycoproteins with a molecular weight of approximately 620,000 to 680,000. Precipitation by electrophoresis is in the alpha region. They include alpha 1-macroglobulins and alpha 2-macroglobulins. These proteins exhibit trypsin-, chymotrypsin-, thrombin-, and plasmin-binding activity and function as hormonal transporters.	Slow alpha 2-Macroglobulins,alpha 2-Acute Phase Globulins,alpha-Macrofetoproteins,45S RNP,Acute-Phase alpha 1-Protein,Slow alpha 2-Globulin,alpha 1-Acute Phase Globulin,alpha 1-Acute Phase Protein,alpha 1-Macroglobulin,alpha 2-Acute Phase Globulin,alpha-Macrofetoprotein,Acute Phase alpha 1 Protein,RNP, 45S,Slow alpha 2 Globulin,Slow alpha 2 Macroglobulins,alpha 1 Acute Phase Globulin,alpha 1 Acute Phase Protein,alpha 1 Macroglobulin,alpha 1-Protein, Acute-Phase,alpha 2 Acute Phase Globulin,alpha 2 Acute Phase Globulins,alpha 2-Globulin, Slow,alpha 2-Macroglobulins, Slow,alpha Macrofetoprotein,alpha Macrofetoproteins,alpha Macroglobulins