The three-dimensional structure of the 56 residue
polypeptide Apis mellifera chymotrypsin/cathepsin
G inhibitor 1 (AMCI-1) isolated from honey bee hemolymph
was calculated based on 730 experimental NMR restraints.
It consists of two approximately perpendicular β-sheets,
several turns, and a long exposed loop that includes the
protease binding site. The lack of extensive secondary
structure features or hydrophobic core is compensated by
the presence of five disulfide bridges that stabilize both
the protein scaffold and the binding loop segment. A detailed
analysis of the protease binding loop conformation reveals
that it is similar to those found in other canonical serine
protease inhibitors. The AMCI-1 structure exhibits a common
fold with a novel family of inhibitors from the intestinal
parasitic worm Ascaris suum. The pH-induced conformational
changes in the binding loop region observed in the Ascaris
inhibitor ATI are absent in AMCI-1. Similar binding site
sequences and structures strongly suggest that the lack
of the conformational change can be attributed to a Glu
→ Gln substitution at the P1′ position in AMCI-1,
compared to ATI. Analysis of amide proton temperature coefficients
shows very good correlation with the presence of hydrogen
bond donors in the calculated AMCI-1 structure.