Inhibition of Aminopeptidase N by Two Synthetic Tripeptides

MR-387Al (ARPA-Val-Pro) and A2 (AHPA-Val-Hyp) were prepared as aminopeptidase N inhibitors through the synthesis of peptide MR-387A and B analogues which contained 3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl butanoic acid (ARPA) as a zinc-chelating moiety. They are competitive inhibitors of aminopeptidase N with inhibition constants(Ki) of 4.1 $\times 10^{-7}\;and 1.1 \times 10^{-6}$ M, respectively. MR-387Al also strongly inhibited aminopeptidase B of human myelogenous leukemia K-562 cell with $IC_50$ of 0.35 $\mu$ M. Inhibitions of aminopeptidase N activity by ARPA-bearing inhibitors of various peptide chain lengths also have been studied. $IC_ 50$ values of AHPA-Val (bestatin), ARPA-Val-Pro (MR-387Al) and ARPA-Val-Pro-Leu (MR-387C) compared against porcine kidney aminopeptidase N were 20.1, 0.60 and 0.08 $\mu$ M, respectively. These results support that a multiple interaction between the $S_1\to S'_3$ sites of aminopeptidase N and the $P_1\to P'_3$ of the inhibitor plays a crucial role in stabilizing strongly the enzyme-inhibitor complex.