We developed amidolytic assays to determine human Factor Xlla, Factor XIa and plasma kallikrein in mixtures containing variable amounts of each enzyme. The commercially available chromogenic substrates pro-phe-arg-pNA (S2302 or chromozym PK), glu-pro-arg-pNA (S2366), ile-glu-(piperidyl)-gly-arg-pNA (S2337), and ile-glu-gly-arg-pNA (S2222) were tested for their suitability as substrates in these assays. 8-Factor Xlla, Factor XIa and plasma kallikrein each exhibit considerable activity towards a number of these substrates. This precludes direct quantitation of the individual enzymes when large amounts of other activated contact factors are present. Several serine protease inhibitors were tested on their ability to selectively inhibit those contact factors that may interfere with the factor tested for. Soybean trypsin inhibitor efficiently inhibits kallikrein, inhibits Factor XIa at moderate concentrations, but did not affect the amidolytic activity of Factor Xlla. Therefore, this inhibitor can be used to abolish a kallikrein and Factor XIa contribution in a Factor Xlla assay. We also report the rate constants of inhibition of contact activation factors by three different chloromethylketones. D-phe-pro-arg-CH 2 Cl was moderately active against contact factors (k - 2271 M-ls-1 at pH 8.3) but showed no differences in specif ity. D-phe-phe-arg-CH2 Cl was a very efficient inhibitor of kallikrein (k = 118,000 M-ls-1 at pH 8.3) whereas it slowly inhibited Factor Xlla (k = 1389 M-ls-1) and Factor XIa (k = 110 M-ls-1). Also dansyl-glu-gly-arg-CH2Cl was more reactive towards kallikrein (k 15,662 M-ls-1) than towards Factor Xlla (k = 462 M-ls-1) and Factor XIa (k = 63 M-ls-1). Since phe-phe-arg-CH2Cl is highly specific for kallikrein it can be used in a Factor XIa assay to selectively inhibit kallikrein. Based on the catalytic efficiencies of chromogenic substrate conversion and the inhibition characteristics of serine protease inhibitors and chloromethyl ketones we were able to develop quantitative assays for Factor Xlla, Factor XIa and kallikrein in mixtures of contact activation factors.
Design of Specific Serine Protease Inhibitors Based on a Versatile Peptide Scaffold: Conversion of a Urokinase Inhibitor to a Plasma Kallikrein Inhibitor
