A three-dimensional model of a unique proteinase inhibitor: alpha 2-macroglobulin

alpha 2-Macroglobulin inhibits many proteinases by a unique mechanism termed "trapping" depicted in Figure 3A,B. This article details a mechanism by which a large proteinase, such as plasmin, binds in a molar ratio between 1 and 2 to 1 proteinase to inhibitor. The article also discusses the placement of the bait region in relation to the thiol-esters within this model. Future investigation is required to confirm the hypothesized mechanism of plasmin binding as well as the hypothesized location of the bait region.