Amino acid sequence at the reactive site of human alpha 1-antichymotrypsin

The reactive site of human alpha 1-antichymotrypsin has been identified as encompassing a leucyl-seryl bond at the apparent P1 and P'1 positions. This has been determined by dissociation of complexes of the inhibitor with bovine alpha-chymotrypsin, followed by identification of new NH2-terminal sequences, as well as by proteolytic inactivation by porcine pancreatic elastase. The latter results in peptide bond cleavage between the apparent P5 and P4 positions of the inhibitor, yielding a fragment whose sequence overlaps with that obtained through complex dissociation. Some homology with the sequence obtained and that already reported for both antithrombin III and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor can be noted.