Abstact

Factor D (D) is a serine protease, crucial for the activation of the alternative complement pathway. Only a limited number of general serine protease inhibitors are known to inhibit D, most of which covalently bind to the serine hydroxyl of the catalytic triad. The structure of the first enzyme:inhibitor covalent adduct of D with diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DIP:D) to a resolution of 2.4 A is described. The inhibited enzyme is similar in overall structure to the native enzyme and to trypsin, yet exhibits notable differences in the active site. One region of the active site is conserved between D and trypsin with respect to amino-acid sequence and to conformation. Another reflects the amino-acid substitutions and conformational flexibility between these enzymes. The active-site histidine residue is observed in the gauche+ conformation, not the normal gauche- orientation seen in the classic catalytic triad arrangement required for enzymatic activity in serine proteases. Comparisons of the active sites between native D, the DIP:D adduct, and DIP-inhibited trypsin have provided fundamental insights currently being employed in the design of novel small-molecule pharmaceutical agents capable of modulating the alternative complement pathway.