Reduced cofactor function of human high molecular weight kininogen induced by human plasma kallikrein

Most reports in the literature state that human plasma kallikrein does not destroy the capacity of human high molecular weight kininogen (HMrK) to function as a cofactor in the contact phase activation of factor XII. In the present work preparations of highly purified human plasma kallikrein that showed high plasminogen activator (PGA) activities rapidly reduced the cofactor function of human HMrK. Gel electrophoresis with SDS without reduction showed that all kallikrein preparations tested contained two protein bands, one major band with a Mr of about 83,000, and one weak band with a Mr of 80,000. The main band is probably identical with kallikrein I, which Levison & Tomalin (1982b), using Ac-Pro-Phe-Arg-OMe-HCl as substrate, found to be ten times more active (in terms of kcat/Km) than kallikrein II with Mr 3000 daltons lower. The rate of HMrK destruction in our experiments varied with the kallikrein preparation used, but assays of their hydrolytic activities against benzoyl arginine ethylester (BAEe) or the plasma kallikrein selective tripeptide substrate H-D-Pro-Phe-Arg-pNA (S-2302) did not discriminate between enzyme preparations with different HMrK-destroying capacities. Assay of PGA activities demonstrated a correlation between the level of PGA measured, and the HMrK-destroying capacity.     

Isolation and characterization of rat plasma glandular kallikrein

A method has been developed to purify glandular kallikrein present in rat plasma by using Sepharose-Aprotinin affinity chromatography and elution of the enzyme with p-aminobenzamidine. The isolated enzyme liberated kinins from kininogen II of low molecular weight (sp. act. 14 ng kinins/min X mg) and p-nitroaniline (pNA) from the substrate S-2266 (sp. act. 1.23 nmoles pNA/min X mg); it was inhibited by aprotinin, benzamidine and rat urinary antikallikrein antibody but not by ovomucoid. In polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the enzymatic activities of the preparation were associated with two light protein bands of molecular weights equal to that of urinary kallikrein (35,000 daltons). Using this method, the recovery of [125I]kallikrein added to the plasma was 82-88%. The concentration of the enzyme in normal rat plasma was equivalent to 6.1 +/- 2.1 (S.D.) ng kallikrein/ml. The mean value found in nephrectomized rats was 20.0 +/- 6.3 (S.D.) ng kallikrein/ml. This increment was highly significant (P less than 0.001). Our results confirm the presence of glandular kallikrein in plasma which had been detected by other methods; they also demonstrate that the material purified from plasma is enzymatically active, suggesting that kallikrein may play a biological role in the control of blood circulation.     

Biochemistry and functional aspects of human glandular kallikreins

Human urinary kallikrein was purified by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 and affinity chromatography on aprotinin-Sepharose, followed by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose. In dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis two protein bands with molecular weights of 41,000 and 34,000 were separated. The amino acid composition and the carbohydrate content of the kallikrein preparation were determined; isoleucine was identified as the only aminoterminal amino acid. The bimolecular velocity constant for the inhibition by diisopropyl fluorophosphate was determined as 9 +/- 2 1 mol-1 min-1. The hydrolysis of a number of substrates was investigated and AcPheArgOEt was found to be the most sensitive substrate for human urinary kallikrein. Using this substrate an assay method for kallikrein in human urine was developed. It was shown by radioimmunoassay that pig pancreatic kallikrein can be absorbed in the rat intestinal tract. Furthermore, in dogs the renal excretion of glandular kallikrein from blood was demonstrated by radioimmunological methods.     

Separation of plasma kallikrein and a kallikrein-like plasminogen activator generated by acetone in rat plasma

Plasminogen activator (PGA), kininogenase (Kase) and benzoyl arginine ethyl ester (BAEe) activities generated in plasminogen-free rat plasma by incubation with acetone (23% v/v) at 22 degrees were purified. The activities passed unadsorbed through columns of DEAE-Sephadex A-50 (pH 7.8) and arginine methylester-Sepharose 4B (pH 8.5). Part of the activities (rat plasma kallikrein) was adsorbed onto a soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI)-Sepharose 4B column at pH 8.5. At pH 7.0 a fraction with higher ratios PGA/BAEe esterase and Kase/BAEe esterase was also adsorbed. Both fractions could be eluted with 5 mM sodium hydroxide. The fraction not adsorbed at pH 8.5, but adsorbed at pH 7.0 was designated low molecular weight plasminogen activator (LMr-PGA), a plasminogen activator fraction with higher molecular weight, but without esterase activity being also present (Berstad & Briseid 1982). LMr-PGA was strongly inhibited by tranexamic acid (AMCA) 0.10 mM, whereas the fraction designated rat plasma kallikrein was not. By polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis Mr-values in the range 120,000 to 130,000 were established for native samples of both rat plasma kallikrein and LMr-PGA, whereas Mr-values of 78,000 to 80,000 were established after treatment with SDS.     

Purification and characterization of the human ovarian LH/hCG receptor and comparison of the properties of mammalian LH/hCG receptors

Methods previously published by us [Wimalasena et al., J Biol Chem 260: 10689-10697, 1985; Wimalasena et al., J Biol Chem 261: 9416-9420, 1986] were utilized to solubilize the human corpus luteal leuteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin (LH/hCG) receptor with 3-[(3-cholamide-propyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) and to purify the receptor by two steps of hCG-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The specific binding capacity (SBC) of the purified human receptor was 7510 pmol/mg protein, and KA = 2.2 x 10(9) M-1 when iodo hCG was competed by hCG; the yield was 4-7% of starting activity. When hLH was used in competition with hCG, specific binding capacity was 7900 pmol/mg protein and KA 1.0 x 10(9) M-1. Silver staining and autoradiography demonstrated a single protein of Mr 78,000 under reducing and Mr 58-62 x 10(3) under nonreducing conditions. Rat ovarian LH/hCG receptor was purified by similar methods and the KA of 3.5 x 10(10) M-1 for hCG was substantially different from the KA for hLH which was 2.1 x 10(9) M-1. Mr of the rat protein was 78-82 x 10(3) (reduced) and 58-62 x 10(3) (nonreduced) when analyzed by silver staining and autoradiography. For the first time, human LH/hCG receptor has been purified to apparent homogeneity, and its Mr of 78,000 was essentially identical to the Mr values of purified rat and porcine receptors.     

Dextran-induced lowering of prekallikrein proactivator and prekallikrein in rat plasma

The intravenous injection into rats of dextran (average MW 70,000) 10 mg/100 g caused marked hypotension after a delay of about 5 minutes. Blood samples collected by cardiac puncture at this time were tested for the amounts of prekallikrein activator (PKA) and kallikrein after acetone- and then kaolin activation of the plasminogen-free plasma. PKA was assayed by measuring the initial rate of release of benzoyl arginine esterase (BAEe) activity in a preparation of partially purified human prekallikrein, and kallikrein was assayed by measuring the BAEe esterase activity. Significant reductions of both parameters were registered, and the amount of high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) present in the plasma was also reduced. Pretreatment of the rats with epsilon-aminocaproic acid intraperitoneally (200-300 mg/100 g) abolished the dextran-caused decreases in the plasma levels of the above mentioned factors, and reduced the fall in blood pressure. The addition of purified human HMWK to the plasma before the acetone activation procedure was started, increased the yield of PKA activity in the final enzyme preparation. When PKA was assayed after kaolin activation of plasma at 0 degrees using the method developed by Laake & Venner?d (1973a & b) for the determination of PKA (activated factor XII) in human plasma, no differences were registered between plasma from rats treated with dextran and plasma obtained from control rats. It is suggested that the low PKA activity of the acetone activated enzyme preparation from plasma of rats treated with dextran was due to the loss of HMWK or a fraction of HMWK.     

Affinity labeling of the DDT1 MF-2 cell alpha 1-adrenergic receptor with [3H]phenoxybenzamine

In this study, we used phenoxybenzamine to label the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor of a smooth muscle cell line. Our results demonstrate a dose-dependent occupancy of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors by phenoxybenzamine determined by competition for the [3H]prazosin binding site. Following incorporation of [3H]phenoxybenzamine, partially purified membranes were solubilized and subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. Despite numerous Coomassie blue-stained bands, only three bands, Mr = 80,000 +/- 500, Mr = 33,000 +/- 2,000, and Mr = 21,000 +/- 400 (N = 4), were labeled with [3H]phenoxybenzamine as determined by autofluorography. Incorporation of [3H]phenoxybenzamine into the Mr = 80,000 band, but not the Mr = 33,000 and Mr = 21,000 bands, was affected by adrenergic agonists and antagonists in a manner consistent with an alpha 1-adrenergic interaction. Labeling of the Mr = 33,000 and Mr = 21,000 bands was partially blocked by phenoxybenzamine. We conclude that [3H]phenoxybenzamine can be used as an affinity probe for the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor and that the ligand binding site of the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor resides in a Mr = 80,000 protein.     

Multiple distinct subunits of the gamma-aminobutyric acid-A receptor protein show different ligand-binding affinities

The purified gamma-aminobutyric acid/benzodiazepine receptor protein from mammalian brain contains at least four discrete polypeptides (Mr 51,000, 53,000, 55,000 and 58,000) by a variety of visualization techniques and in three species (rat, cow, and human). These polypeptide bands vary in their affinity for gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs as shown by inhibition of [3H]muscimol binding, demonstrated by photoaffinity labeling and gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. One-dimensional peptide maps of proteolytic digests revealed that distinct fragments were produced, indicating that the four polypeptides represent discrete sequences. The four bands were identified by Western blotting with subunit-specific monoclonal antibodies as two species each of previously identified alpha and beta subunits. [3H]Muscimol photolabeled all four bands (beta and alpha) to varying degrees not proportional to the extent of protein staining. The Mr 58,000 beta subunit subtype showed a higher affinity for 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-isoxazolo-[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol than the Mr 56,000 beta subtype, whereas the Mr 56,000 beta and Mr 51,000 alpha bands were more enhanced by pentobarbital than the Mr 58,000 band. Furthermore, the alpha subunit pattern revealed by photoaffinity labeling with [3H]flunitrazepam was significantly different for three regions of bovine brain, showing only one major band in cerebellum at Mr 51,000, two major bands in cortex at Mr 53,000 and 51,000, and three bands in hippocampus at Mr 55,000 as well as Mr 53,000 and 51,000. Because the ratio of the amounts of the various polypeptides varies with brain region and the pharmacological properties of the peptides vary, it is likely that a family of oligomeric gamma-aminobutyric acid/benzodiazepine receptors exists in the brain. This is consistent with the reported variable expression of different subunit subtype mRNAs and with brain region-dependent variation in pharmacology and binding behavior.     

Rodent kinin-forming enzyme systems—I: Purification and characterization of plasma kininogen

Low molecular weight (LMW) kininogen was purified 70-fold with a 16% yield from fresh rat plasma by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography, ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-200 gel filtration, SP-Sephadex chromatography, CM-cellulose chromatography, and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. Ferguson plots of polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic patterns revealed four bands with relative molecular weights of 64,000, 123,500, 252,436 and 357,900 (ratio of 1:2:4:6). Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis provided a single protein band with a molecular weight of 72,000, suggesting that the four kininogen bands had been caused by the aggregation of a single oligomeric protein. The purified LMW rat kininogen Fraction B (3.9 μg bradykinin/mg) was used to elicit an antiserum in the rabbit. Monospecificity of the antiserum was demonstrated by immunoelec-trophoresis (Laurell rocket and Grabar methods) and, thus, the homogeneity of the kininogen was also. The purified kininogen (both Fractions A and B) formed kinin with human urinary kallikrein, rat urinary kallikrein and hog pancreatic kallikrein. Murphy-Sturm lymphosarcoma acid protease also formed kinin when incubated with the kininogen at pH 3.0. The isoelectric point for both fractions was at pH 4.3. Amino acid analyses showed the two kininogen fractions to be rich in acidic amino acids and to have a total carbohydrate content of 8.5% consisting of galactose (1.2 to 1.5%), mannose (1.9 to 2.1%), N-acetylglucosamine (4.3 to 5.1%), N-acetylgalactosamine (0.3%), and sialic acid (0.68%).     

Bromobenzene-mediated alteration in activity and electrophoretic pattern of biliverdin reductase variants in rat kidney

Here we report on the detection of multiple net-charge and molecular mass variants of biliverdin reductase in the rat kidney and describe selective changes in the tissue profile of the variants after bromobenzene treatment (2 mmol/kg, subcutaneously, 24 hr). Using two-dimensional electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing, two major molecular mass species, Mr 30,400 and 30,700, a minor form of Mr 31,400, and five net-charge groups of pI = 6.23, 5.91, 5.77, 5.61, and 5.48 were detected; the net-charge variants with pI = 5.61 and 5.77 were the most abundant forms. The Mr 30,400 form was the main component of two isoelectric focusing bands with pI = 6.23 and 5.91, and the relative amounts of these net-charge variants was severely decreased in the kidneys of bromobenzene-treated rats. The effect of bromobenzene in vivo could not be duplicated by in vitro experiments involving the direct treatment of purified enzyme with bromobenzene, or incubation of the purified preparation with bromobenzene in the presence of a NADPH-dependent microsomal drug-metabolizing system. Bromobenzene treatment did not alter the immunochemical properties of biliverdin reductase variants, as judged by the similarity of isoelectric focusing patterns of preparations on a Western blot using antibody raised against a rat liver total biliverdin reductase preparation. The treatment, however, caused an alteration in the kinetic properties of the enzyme, and the activity with NADH appeared to be selectively decreased. The possible mechanisms involved in the expression of multiple forms of the reductase and the biological significance of the multiplicity, as well as the change in composition caused by bromobenzene, are discussed.     

Purification of the cardiac 1,4-dihydropyridine receptor using immunoaffinity chromatography with a monoclonal antibody against the alpha 2 delta subunit of the skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor.

The 1,4-dihydropyridine receptor associated with L-type Ca2+ channels was purified about 1700-fold from porcine cardiac sarcolemmal membranes using a simple and rapid (ca. 8 h) two-step procedure: wheat germ agglutinin affinity chromatography followed by immunoaffinity chromatography with a monoclonal antibody (MCC-1) against the alpha 2 delta subunit of the skeletal muscle Ca2+ channel with a glycine elution buffer (pH 3). Gel electrophoresis of this purified sample under non-reducing conditions revealed a major polypeptide band with molecular weight of 190 kDa, which was separated under reducing conditions to a 155 kDa band and 2-3 bands with M(r) about 20 kDa, corresponding to alpha 2 and delta subunits, respectively. The peptide band corresponding to the alpha 1 subunit was not detected in this gel electrophoresis. However, the alpha 1 subunit without bound alpha 2 delta was selectively eluted from MCC-1 Sepharose with 1% Triton X-100. A 190 kDa band corresponding to the alpha 1 subunit was visualized by fluorography and by silver staining in the fraction eluted with Triton X-100. Electrophoretically, the amount of alpha 1 was smaller than that of the alpha 2 subunit in the purified sample obtained here.     

Quantitative assay for bradykinin in rat plasma by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

An assay to quantify bradykinin in rat plasma has been developed and validated, using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Sar-D-Phe(8)-des-Arg(9)-bradykinin was used as internal standard. Aprotinin was added to rat plasma to inhibit the activity of proteinases. Recoveries for solid-phase extraction (SPE) on Strata X reversed phase were greater than 80%. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray source (ESI), operating in the positive ion-mode, was used for detection. The assay was validated and stability was explored. Bradykinin (10-500 ng/mL) was quantified with accuracy values (% RE) below 10% and intra- and inter-day precisions (% RSD) below 12 and 16%, respectively, for all concentrations. The method was successfully applied to several plasma samples from low levels kallikrein rats (LKRs) compared with normal kallikrein rats (NKRs).     

Purification and partial characterization of rat intestinal cefuroxime axetil esterase

An esterase which hydrolyses the cephalosporin antibiotic, cefuroxime axetil has been isolated from rat intestinal washings and purified. Closely related cefuroxime esters were extremely poor substrates, but p-nitrophenyl acetate and alpha-naphthyl acetate were slowly hydrolysed by the purified enzyme. Analysis by gel filtration gave an Mr = 51,000 and on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the esterase resolved into two main bands of Mr = 31,500 and 26,800. Analytical isoelectric focusing resolved purified esterase into multiple forms active toward alpha-naphthyl acetate, the isoelectric points of which ranged from pH 4.5 to 6.3. The esterase bound specifically to Con A-Sepharose suggesting it could be a glycoprotein. Esterase activity was unaffected by the presence of dihydroxy bile salts (1-8 mM) and inhibition studies using organophosphates and eserine salicylate have classified the enzyme as a carboxylesterase.     

四季豆蛋白抗生育作用的研究

四季豆提取物对小鼠抗着床、抗早孕和中期引产均有明显效果,腹腔注射最低有效剂量为16.7 mg/kg体重(丙酮法)和33.3 mg/kg体重(盐析法)。四季豆提取物经羟基磷灰石柱层析分离和纯化,可得4个洗脱峰。其中0.1 M磷酸缓冲液洗脱峰经醋酸纤维素薄膜电泳,可得一条主要区带和一条痕迹区带;经聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳可得一条主要区带,另有二条痕迹区带。此主要组分给小鼠腹腔注射,其抗早孕最低有效剂量为1.67～3.33 mg/kg体重,比提取物效价提高10～20倍。实验证明四季豆抗生育成分是一种蛋白质。     

Inactivation of substance P by granulation tissue-derived gelatinase.

An active gelatinase has been purified from the conditioned medium of granulation tissue culture formed by carrageenin injection in rats. The purified gelatinase gave a single band corresponding to a M(r) of 57 kDa on both sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and SDS-gelatin PAGE. The granulation tissue-derived gelatinase selectively cleaved the Gln6-Phe7 bond of substance P (SP) with a Km of 0.17 mM and a Vmax of 0.027 nmol SP7-11/min/micrograms protein, resulting in the generation of biologically inactive fragments, SP1-6 and SP7-11. Our data suggest that the gelatinase produced by granulation tissue participates in the inactivation of SP in the inflammatory site.     

Partial purification of pulmonary cytochrome P-448 from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats

Pulmonary cytochrome P-448 from 3-methylcholanthrene-pretreated rats was partially purified approximately 20-fold. The purified preparations containing 1.74 nmol per mg protein were essentially free of NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, and included a small amount of cytochrome b5 spectrophotometrically. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the partially purified cytochrome P-448 gave one major band and several minor bands when stained with Coomassie blue. The major band on which the presence of peroxidase activity could be determined had the apparent molecular weight of 57,000. In the presence of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, lipid and NADPH, the pulmonary cytochrome P-448 was active in hydroxylation of benzo-[a]pyrene, but catalyzed N-demethylation of benzphetamine in a slow rate.     

Purification and characterization of a cytochrome P-450 isozyme catalyzing bunitrolol 4-hydroxylation in liver microsomes of male rats.

A cytochrome P-450 isozyme, P-450 bunitrolol (BTL), catalyzing bunitrolol 4-hydroxylation was partially purified from liver microsomes of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by hydrophobic affinity chromatographic (omega-aminooctyl-Sepharose 4B) and high-performance liquid chromatographic (anion-exchange diethylaminoethyl-5PW) techniques. The specific content of the final preparation was 5.02 nmol/mg protein, which was 7.8-fold that of microsomes. It showed two protein bands of 49 and 32 kDa in sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. N-Terminal 20 amino acid sequence of the protein of a higher molecular mass (49 kDa) isolated by an electroblotting technique is 94% homologous with that of CYP2D2. In a reconstituted system including NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and an NADPH-generating system, the final preparation had the highest activity toward BTL and debrisoquine 4-hydroxylation among 12 isozymes of cytochrome P-450 examined. Kinetic parameters, KM and Vmax values, of P-450 BTL calculated for BTL 4-hydroxylation were 10.7 microM and 19.68 nmol/min/nmol P-450, respectively, whereas those values (mean +/- SE) of rat liver microsomes were 0.84 +/- 0.05 microM and 2.05 +/- 0.11 nmol/min/nmol P-450. When preincubated with rat liver microsomes, the antibody against the final P-450 BTL preparation suppressed bunitrolol and debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase activities dose-dependently and almost completely. These results suggest that cytochrome P-450 BTL and its immunochemically related P-450 isozyme(s) play a major role in debrisoquine 4-hydroxylation as well as in BTL 4-hydroxylation in rat liver microsomes.     

Cyclic changes in the expression of endometrial proteins of the mouse during the normal estrus cycle.

Cellular proteins extracted from the endometrial tissue of normal sexually mature outbred mice were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to define the changes in protein expression that occur during the normal estrus cycle. Using one dimensional gradient SDS-PAGE it was possible to resolve approximately 80 protein bands, 8 of which showed cyclic changes. Five protein bands (Mr 28, 40, 135, 150 and 220 kD) were most prominent in the estrus phase and were barely detectable or not visible at all in the diestrus phase. Since the estrus phase is under the influence of estrogen, these five proteins were considered to be estrogen-induced. Two protein bands (Mr 35, and 37 kD) were more prominent in the diestrus phase. The 116 kD protein band was found only in the diestrus phase. These three proteins were considered to be induced by progesterone, the hormone that governs the diestrus phase of the cycle. None of the protein bands was found to be typical of the proestrus and metestrus phases of the cycle, although the 28 kD band appeared more prominent in proestrus than in other phases. These data show that the mouse estrus cycle is associated with phase-specific changes which can be reproducibly and reliably detected by SDS-PAGE.     

Arsenate reductase II. Purine nucleoside phosphorylase in the presence of dihydrolipoic acid is a route for reduction of arsenate to arsenite in mammalian systems

An arsenate reductase has been partially purified from human liver using ion exchange, molecular exclusion, hydroxyapatite chromatography, preparative isoelectric focusing, and electrophoresis. When SDS-beta-mercaptoethanol-PAGE was performed on the most purified fraction, two bands were obtained. One of these bands was a 34 kDa protein. Each band was excised from the gel and sequenced by LC-MS/MS, and sequest analyses were performed against the OWL database SWISS-PROT with PIR. Mass spectra analysis matched the 34 kDa protein of interest with human purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP). The peptide fragments equal to 40.1% of the total protein were 100% identical to the corresponding regions of the human purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Reduction of arsenate in the purine nucleoside arsenolysis reaction required both PNP and dihydrolipoic acid (DHLP). The PNP rate of reduction of arsenate with the reducing agents GSH or ascorbic acid was negligible compared to that with the naturally occurring dithiol DHLP and synthetic dithiols such as BAL (British anti-lewisite), DMPS (2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonate), or DTT (alpha-dithiothreitol). The arsenite production reaction of thymidine phosphorylase had approximately 5% of such PNP activity. Phosphorylase b was inactive. Monomethylarsonate (MMAV) was not reduced by PNP. The experimental results indicate PNP is an important route for the reduction of arsenate to arsenite in mammalian systems.     

Purification and preliminary characterization of a plasma kallikrein inhibitor isolated from sea hares Aplysia dactylomela Rang, 1828.

An inhibitor active against pancreatic trypsin was found in the crude extract from the sea hares Aplysia dactylomelaRang, 1828. A stronger inhibitory activity against human plasma kallikrein was detectable after treating this extract at 60 degrees C, for 30 min. The plasma kallikrein inhibitor (AdKI) purification was achieved by acetone fractionation (80%) v/v, ion-exchange chromatography on Mono Q column and gel filtration chromatography on Superdex 75 column (FPLC system). By the latter a molecular mass of 2900 Da was estimated. The purified inhibitor strongly inhibits human plasma kallikrein with a K(i) value of 2.2 x 10(-10)M, while human plasmin and pancreatic trypsin were inhibited with K(i) values of 1.8 x 10(-9) and 4.7 x 10(-9)M, respectively. Chymotrypsin, pancreatic elastase, pancreatic kallikrein and thrombin are not inhibited. The effect of AdKI on plasma kallikrein was confirmed by the prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time, using a clotting time assay. The inhibitor did not affect prothrombin time or thrombin time. AdKi is a more specific inhibitor than other serine proteinase inhibitors from marine invertebrates.