whey acidic protein-type four-disulfide core domains. Members of the family include whey acidic protein, elafin (elastase-specific inhibitor), caltrin-like protein (a calcium transport inhibitor) and other extracellular proteinase inhibitors. A group of proteins containing 8 characteristically-spaced cysteine residuesforming disulphide bonds, have been termed '4-disulphide core' proteins. Protease inhibition occurs by insertion of the inhibitory loop into the active site pocket and interference with the catalytic residues of the protease.

                         10        20        30        40
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|...
gi 449310795 180 VEKKGQCPLFPFQMRMECPASCKNDMDCPEKEKCCESRCGFIC 222
Cdd:cd00199   14 VEKPGRCPMVNPPSLGIPPNRCSSDSDCPGDKKCCENGCGKSC 56

Kunitz/Bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor domain; Indicative of a protease inhibitor, usually a serine protease inhibitor. Structure is a disulfide rich alpha+beta fold. BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor) is an extensively studied model structure. Certain family members are similar to the tick anticoagulant peptide (TAP). This is a highly selective inhibitor of factor Xa in the blood coagulation pathways. TAP molecules are highly dipolar, and are arranged to form a twisted two- stranded antiparallel beta-sheet followed by an alpha helix.

                          10        20        30        40        50
                  ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|...
gi 449310795  126 PCMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNACM 178
Cdd:pfam00014   1 ICSLPPDSGPCKASIPRWYYNPTTGTCEPFTYGGCGGNANNFESLEECESTCR 53

whey acidic protein-type four-disulfide core domains. Members of the family include whey acidic protein, elafin (elastase-specific inhibitor), caltrin-like protein (a calcium transport inhibitor) and other extracellular proteinase inhibitors. A group of proteins containing 8 characteristically-spaced cysteine residuesforming disulphide bonds, have been termed '4-disulphide core' proteins. Protease inhibition occurs by insertion of the inhibitory loop into the active site pocket and interference with the catalytic residues of the protease.

                         10        20        30        40
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|...
gi 449310795 180 VEKKGQCPLFPFQMRMECPASCKNDMDCPEKEKCCESRCGFIC 222
Cdd:cd00199   14 VEKPGRCPMVNPPSLGIPPNRCSSDSDCPGDKKCCENGCGKSC 56

WAP-type (Whey Acidic Protein) 'four-disulfide core'; WAP belongs to the group of Elafin or elastase-specific inhibitors.

                          10        20        30        40
                  ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....
gi 449310795   79 KVGECPRQRLecRNESLSSCKTDFNCKAHFKCCQFACGRKCMDP 122
Cdd:pfam00095   1 KPGCCPRLGA--RGCCRSCCSSDDDCPGRQKCCSNGCGSVCVPP 42

Kunitz/Bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor domain; Indicative of a protease inhibitor, usually a serine protease inhibitor. Structure is a disulfide rich alpha+beta fold. BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor) is an extensively studied model structure. Certain family members are similar to the tick anticoagulant peptide (TAP). This is a highly selective inhibitor of factor Xa in the blood coagulation pathways. TAP molecules are highly dipolar, and are arranged to form a twisted two- stranded antiparallel beta-sheet followed by an alpha helix.

                          10        20        30        40        50
                  ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|...
gi 449310795  126 PCMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNACM 178
Cdd:pfam00014   1 ICSLPPDSGPCKASIPRWYYNPTTGTCEPFTYGGCGGNANNFESLEECESTCR 53

Kunitz domain 1 (KD1) of tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2) and similar proteins; This model represents the Kunitz-type domain 1 (KD1) of tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2 or TFPI-2) and similar proteins. TFPI2 exhibits inhibitory activity primarily toward trypsin, plasmin, and factor VIIa (FVIIa)/tissue factor (TF) via its KD1. It is believed to be the major inhibitor of plasmin in the extracellular matrix (ECM) but has little inhibitory activity toward urokinase-type plasminogen activator, tissue-type plasminogen activator, or thrombin. TFPI2 specifically inhibits the proteases via the P1 arginine residue in KD1. The TFPI2 domains KD2 and KD3 appear to have no discernible inhibitory activity and may serve to bind to nearby proteins to localize TFPI2 in the ECM. Structure studies of KD1 complexed with proteases may help in the development of specific and potent KD1 domain protein that may have a large pharmacologic impact in preventing tumor metastasis, retinal degeneration, and degradation of collagen in the ECM. The structure of this domain is similar to that of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....
gi 449310795 125 EPCMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNACM 178
Cdd:cd22616    3 EICLLPPDEGPCRALIPRYYYDRYTQTCREFSYGGCEGNANNFESLEDCEKTCW 56

Kunitz protease inhibitor (KPI) domain 3 (KPI-3 or K3) of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and TFPI2, and similar proteins; This model represents the third Kunitz-type domain (K3 or KPI-3) of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI or TFPI1), also known as extrinsic pathway inhibitor (EPI) or lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor (LACI), and of TFPI2 (or TFPI-2). TFPI1 down-regulates the extrinsic coagulation pathway via inhibition of activated factor X (FXa or Xa) and FVIIa (VIIa). It inhibits activated FXa via a "slow-tight binding mechanism", i.e. rapid formation of a loose FXa-TFPI1 complex that then slowly isomerizes to a tight FXa-TFPI1* complex. Subsequent inhibition of FVIIa is facilitated by the presence of tissue factor (TF) and FXa, which together rapidly and efficiently form a quaternary FXa-TFPI1-TF-FVIIa complex in which the activity of FXa and FVIIa are inhibited. TFPI1 consists of 3 Kunitz-type protease inhibitor (KPI) domains in a tandem arrangement; while the K1 domain of TFPI has been shown to bind and inhibit FVIIa and the K2 domain similarly inhibits FXa, the K3 domain has no known inhibitory function. However, Protein S, which functions as a cofactor for TFPI to efficiently enhance TFPI inhibition of FXa and FXa activated TF-VIIa, is dependent on direct interactions with two important residues within K3, a Glutamate and an Arginine. This model also includes TFPI2 Kunitz domain 3 (KD3). TFPI2 exhibits inhibitory activity primarily toward trypsin, plasmin, and factor VIIa (FVIIa)/tissue factor (TF) via its KD1. It is believed to be the major inhibitor of plasmin in the extracellular matrix (ECM) but has little inhibitory activity toward urokinase-type plasminogen activator, tissue-type plasminogen activator, or thrombin. While TFPI2 specifically inhibits the proteases via the P1 arginine residue in KD1, domains KD2 and KD3 appear to have no discernible inhibitory activity and may serve to bind to nearby proteins to localize TFPI2 in the ECM. The structure of this domain is similar to that of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22615    4 CLSPKDEGLCSASVTRYYYNSATKTCEPFNYTGCGGNNNNFTSKKDCLRVC 54

Pseudocerastes persicus trypsin inhibitor (PPTI), Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor bitisilin, and similar proteins; This group contains Pseudocerastes persicus trypsin inhibitor (PPTI), Bitis gabonica Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor bitisilin-1 (BG-11), -2 (BG-15) and -3 (two-Kunitz protease inhibitor), Oxyuranus scutellatus scutellatus taicatoxin, and serine protease inhibitor component (TSPI, also called venom protease inhibitor 1 or venom protease inhibitor 2), among others. PPTI from P. persicus venom shows inhibitory effect against trypsin proteolytic activity and has similarities to dendrotoxins (DTXs), with corresponding functionally important residues. Studies have shown the ability of PPTI to inhibit voltage-gated potassium channels, and consequently have dual functionality. Bitilisins 1, 2, and 3 are serine protease inhibitors expressed in snake venom glands; bitsilin-3 consists of two Kunitz protease inhibitor domains. Taicatoxin inhibits trypsin, tissue kallikrein, elastase, plasmin and factor Xa, and is also known to block the voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels from the heart, and the small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (KCa) in chromaffin cells and in the brain. The structures of these Kunitz-type proteins are similar to other Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22608    4 CYLPADPGPCKAYIPRFYYNSASNKCQQFIYGGCKGNANNFETKDECRYTC 54

Drosophila melanogaster Kunitz domains 5, 6, 7, and Caenorhabditis elegans Kunitz domain 5 of papilin, and similar domains; This model includes Kunitz domains from papilins with multiple Kunitz domains, such as Drosophila melanogaster Kunitz domains 5, 6, 7, and Caenorhabditis elegans Kunitz domain 5 of papilin, among others. Papilins are essential for embryonic development. D. melanogaster papilin is an essential extracellular matrix (ECM) protein that influences cell rearrangements. It may act by modulating metalloproteinases action during organogenesis and is able to non-competitively inhibit procollagen N-proteinase, an ADAMTS metalloproteinase. C. elegans papilin (also called abnormal cell migration protein 6) mig-6 encodes long (MIG-6L) and short (MIG-6S) isoforms of the extracellular matrix protein papilin, each required for distinct aspects of distal tip cell (DTC) migration and both isoforms have an N-terminal papilin cassette, lagrin repeats and six C-terminal Kunitz-type serine proteinase inhibitory domains. It plays a role in embryogenesis, the second phase of distal cell tip migration and is required for distribution of the metalloproteinase, mig-17, during organogenesis. These domains are similar to Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor) that shows an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22637    1 CDQPKDTGPCDNWVLKWYYDSKKGSCRQFYYGGCGGNDNRFDTEEECEARC 51

Kunitz domain 1 of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor-1 (HAI-1); This model includes Kunitz domain 1 (KD1) of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 1 (HAI1 or HAI-1, also known as Kunitz-type protease inhibitor 1), a membrane-bound multidomain protein essential to the integrity of the basement membrane during placental development. HAI-1 contains an extracellular region and several internal domains that include two Kunitz domains separated in sequence but spatially closed to each other, and their interdomain interactions have evolved to stimulate the inhibitory activity of an integrated Kunitz. KD1, the major inhibitory domain of HAI-1, is involved in auto-inhibition of the extracellular region via steric blockage of its active site in the HAI-1 compact tertiary structure; presence of the target protease causes changes in the HAI-1 structure to an extended conformation. HAI-1 has been shown to inhibit several serine proteases such as matripase, hepsin, trypsin, hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA), and prostasin. It is also important in maintaining postnatal homeostasis in many tissues, including keratinization of the epidermis, hair development, colonic epithelium integrity, proliferation and cell fate of neural progenitor cells, and tissue injury and repair. The interaction between HAI-1 and matriptase is critical for tissue morphogenesis and cellular biology. HAI-1:matriptase ratio imbalance results in tumorigenesis; slight overexpression of matriptase relative to HAI-1 causes spontaneous squamous cell carcinoma, a phenotype that can be effectively reversed back to wild type by additional expression of HAI-1, indicating the need for a tight functional relationship between the two to maintain homeostasis. The structures of these domains are similar to those of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*
gi 449310795 124 EEPCMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNACM 178
Cdd:cd22623    3 ELYCLAPKKVGPCRGSFPRWHYNAASGKCEEFVFGGCKGNKNNYLSEEECLSACR 57

Kunitz domain of papilin, and similar proteins; This model includes the Kunitz domain found in human and mouse papilin, and similar proteins. Papilin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that has been found in many organisms to be involved in thin matrix layers during gastrulation, matrix associated with wandering, phagocytic hemocytes, basement membranes and space-filling matrix during Drosophila development. It is a multidomain protein that primarily occurs in basement membranes. Papilins interact with several extracellular matrix components and ADAMTS enzymes, influences cell rearrangements and may modulate metalloproteinases during organogenesis. Papilins exist in mammals and invertebrates as a set of related, though not necessarily identical proteins. Mammalian papilin contains a single Kunitz domain, while other papilins such as that from Caenorhabditis elegans, contains multiple Kunitz domains. These domains are similar to Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor) that shows an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|..
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGN-CQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22635    1 CLLDKDAGTvCGDYVQRWYYDPATGACNRFWYGGCGGNANRFATEAECLRTC 52

second Kunitz domain of WAP, Kazal, immunoglobulin, Kunitz and NTR domain-containing proteins; This subfamily includes WAP, Kazal, immunoglobulin, Kunitz and NTR domain-containing protein 1 (WFIKKN1, WFKN1), WFIKKN2 (WFKN2), and similar proteins. WFIKKN proteins are protease inhibitors that contain two distinct Kunitz-type protease inhibitor domains. They may have serine protease- and metalloprotease-inhibitor activity. This model represents the second Kunitz (KU2) domain, which has been shown to inhibit trypsin, but not chymotrypsin, elastase, plasmin, pancreatic kallikrein, lung tryptase, plasma kallikrein, thrombin, urokinase or tissue plasminogen activator. However, the inhibition constant of this domain for bovine trypsin is about five orders of magnitudes lower than that of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) for trypsin. This could be due to unfavorable side-chain conformation of a tryptophan at P2' site which is incompatible with a trypsin complex; typical trypsin inhibitors of the Kunitz family feature a tyrosine residue or other less bulky residues at this site. The structure of KU2 is similar to those of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|..
gi 449310795 126 PCMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22606    1 ICSLPAVQGPCKAWEPRWAYNSLLKQCQSFVYGGCEGNENNFESKEACEDAC 52

Kunitz-type domain 2 (KD2) of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 2 (HAI-2), and similar proteins; This model includes Kunitz domain 2 (KD2) of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 2 (HAI-2 or HAI2, also known as placental bikunin or Kunitz-type protease inhibitor 2). HAI-2 is composed of two Kunitz domains that strongly inhibit many serine proteases with sub-nanomolar affinities. It has been found to be a natural tumor suppressor in renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer and prostate cancer, the loss of which leads to tumor growth and progression attributable at least in part to increased MET signaling. HAI-2 is a specific substrate of mesotrypsin which is up-regulated with progression in prostate cancers and shown to contribute to invasion and metastasis; these activities of mesotrypsin may in part be mediated through cleavage and inactivation of HAI-2, resulting in increases in hetatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) activation and MET signaling. HAI-2 is a physiological inhibitor of hepsin and matriptase, two type II transmembrane serine proteases that, like HGF activator, can convert latent pro-HGF/SF into the two-chain active signaling heterodimer. KD2 is similar to KD1, whose structure is similar to those of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|...
gi 449310795 125 EPCMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22622    1 EYCAAPRVTGPCRAAFPRWYYDPESQSCKEFIYGGCRGNKNNYLSEEECMDRC 53

Caenorhabditis elegans Kunitz domain 11 of papilin (also called abnormal cell migration protein 6 or mig-6), Amblyomma hebraeum amblin domain 1, and similar proteins; This model includes Caenorhabditis elegans Kunitz domain 11 of papilin (also called abnormal cell migration protein 6 or mig-6) and domain 1 of Amblyomma hebraeum amblin, and similar proteins. C. elegans papilin (also called abnormal cell migration protein 6) mig-6 encodes long (MIG-6L) and short (MIG-6S) isoforms of the extracellular matrix protein papilin, each required for distinct aspects of distal tip cell (DTC) migration and both isoforms have an N-terminal papilin cassette, lagrin repeats and six C-terminal Kunitz-type serine proteinase inhibitory domains. It plays a role in embryogenesis, the second phase of distal cell tip migration and is required for distribution of the metalloproteinase, mig-17, during organogenesis. Amblin contains two Kunitz-like domains and specifically inhibits thrombin. These domains are similar to Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), that shows an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22638    1 CTLKPETGPCRAYIEKWYYDPSTQSCKTFIYGGCGGNGNRFDSEEDCQETC 51

Kunitz domain of epididymal protease inhibitor eppin and similar proteins; This subfamily includes the Kunitz inhibitor domain protein eppin (also called Cancer/testis antigen 71 or CT71, epididymal protease inhibitor, protease inhibitor WAP7, serine protease inhibitor-like with Kunitz and WAP domains 1, or WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 7) as well as WAP four-disulfide core domain proteins 6A and 6B in mice, and similar proteins. Eppin is a serine protease inhibitor that plays an essential role in male reproduction and fertility. It modulates the hydrolysis of seminal fluid protein semenogelin 1 (SEMG1) by the serine protease kallikrein-related peptidase 3 (KLK3, PSA), provides antimicrobial protection for spermatozoa in the ejaculate coagulum, and binds SEMG1, thereby inhibiting sperm motility. Thus, eppin could potentially be used as a target for male contraception. These domains are similar to Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor) that shows an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|...
gi 449310795 125 EPCMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22611    1 DVCSLPKESGPCMAYFPRWWYDKETNTCSKFIYGGCQGNNNNFQSEAICQNIC 53

Kunitz-type actitoxins such as Anemonia viridis U-actitoxin-Avd3l, and similar proteins; This model includes the Kunitz-type actitoxins such as Anemonia viridis U-actitoxin-Avd3l (also called U-AITX-Avd3l or AsKC9), Anthopleura elegantissima KappaPI-actitoxin-Ael3a (also called KappaPI-AITX-Ael3a or Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor APEKTx1) and Anthopleura aff. xanthogrammica PI-actitoxin-Axm2b (also called PI-AITX-Axm2b or Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor AXPI-II). U-AITX-Avd3l and KappaPI-AITX-Ael3a are dual-function toxins that inhibit both the serine protease trypsin and voltage-gated potassium channels Kv1.2/KCNA2. These proteins are similar to Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor) that shows an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22633    5 CLLPKDVGGCRARFPRYYYNSSTRRCEKFRYGGCGGNANNFHTLEECEKVC 55

first Kunitz domain of Carboxypeptidase Inhibitor SmCI and similar domains; This group includes Sabellastarte magnifica carboxypeptidase inhibitor (SmCI), a tri-domain BPTI-Kunitz inhibitor capable of inhibiting serine proteases and A-like metallocarboxypeptidases. While the BPTI-Kunitz family of proteins includes voltage gated channel blockers and inhibitors of serine proteases, SmCI is the only BPTI-Kunitz protein capable of inhibiting metallocarboxypeptidases. Binding studies show that SmCI is able to bind three trypsin molecules under saturating conditions, but only one elastase interacts with the inhibitor. Additionally, SmCI can bind serine proteases and carboxypeptidases at the same time (at least in the ratio 1:1:1), thus becoming the first protease inhibitor that simultaneously blocks these two mechanistic classes of enzymes. This model contains the first Kunitz domain of SmCI, which has a structure similar to those of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22601    4 CDLPADRGPCTAYIPRWFYNKTTKKCEKFVYGGCQGNKNRFETKDDCLANC 54

Kunitz domain 2 of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor-1 (HAI1); This model includes Kunitz domain 2 (KD2) of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 1 (HAI-1 or HAI1, also known as Kunitz-type protease inhibitor 1), a membrane-bound multidomain protein essential to the integrity of the basement membrane during placental development. HAI-1 contains an extracellular region and several internal domains that include two Kunitz domains separated in sequence but spatially closed to each other, and their interdomain interactions have evolved to stimulate the inhibitory activity of an integrated Kunitz. While the Kunitz domain 1 (KD1) is the major inhibitory domain of HAI-1 and involved in auto-inhibition of the extracellular region via steric blockage of its active site in the HAI-1 compact tertiary structure, studies show that deletion of HAI-1 Kunitz domain 2 (KD2) and the extracellular region enhanced inhibition of matriptase. HAI-1 KD2 has been shown to have potent inhibitory activity against trypsin, but it cannot inhibit hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA), and matriptase. HAI-1 is also important in maintaining postnatal homeostasis in many tissues, including keratinization of the epidermis, hair development, colonic epithelium integrity, proliferation and cell fate of neural progenitor cells, and tissue injury and repair. The interaction between HAI-1 and matriptase is critical for tissue morphogenesis and cellular biology. HAI-1:matriptase ratio imbalance results in tumorigenesis; slight overexpression of matriptase relative to HAI-1 causes spontaneous squamous cell carcinoma, a phenotype that can be effectively reversed back to wild type by additional expression of HAI-1, indicating the need for a tight functional relationship between the two to maintain homeostasis. The structure of KD2 is similar to those of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22624    2 CTEPPVTGPCRASFTRWYYDPLSRKCHRFTYGGCDGNENNFETEDECMETC 52

venom Kunitz-type proteins such as textilinin, BF9 and PILP; This group includes toxins isolated from snake venoms, such as textilinin, vestiginin, spermatin, mulgin, venom basic protease inhibitor IX (BF9), and protease inhibitor-like protein (PILP), among others. Pseudonaja textilis textilinin-1 is a Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor that binds to and blocks the activity of a range of serine proteases, including plasmin and trypsin. Ability of testilinin to inhibit plasmin, a protease involved in fibrinolysis, raises the possibility that it may be used as an alternative to aprotinin (Trasylol), which is a systemic antibleeding agent in surgery. Also included is the Bungarus fasciatus fraction IX (BF9), a chymotrypsin inhibitor that binds chymotrypsin but not trypsin. Protease inhibitor-like proteins PILP-1 and PILP-2 show weak binding and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and show an activity in inhibiting migration and invasion of neuroblastoma; they do not inhibit chymotrypsin or trypsin. The structures of these toxins are similar to those of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22594    5 CELPADPGPCNAYKPAFYYNPASHKCLEFIYGGCGGNANNFKTIDECHRTC 55

Kunitz-type domain 1 (KD1) of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 2 (HAI-2), and similar proteins; This model includes the Kunitz domain 1 (KD1) of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 2 (HAI-2 or HAI2, also known as placental bikunin or Kunitz-type protease inhibitor 2). HAI-2 is composed of two Kunitz domains that strongly inhibit many serine proteases with sub-nanomolar affinities. HAI-2 Kunitz domain 1 (KD1) has been found to be the domain responsible for inhibition of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) activator; activated HGF/scatter factor (HGF/SF) binds to its receptor tyrosine kinase MET to induce dimerization and initiate phosphorylation cascades leading to comprehensive cellular changes that, in the deregulated context of cancer, drive malignant transformation and progression. HAI-2 has been found to be a natural tumor suppressor in renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer and prostate cancer; its loss leads to tumor growth and progression in part due to increased MET signaling. HAI-2 is also a specific substrate for mesotrypsin, which is up-regulated with progression in prostate cancers and shown to contribute to invasion and metastasis; these activities of mesotrypsin may in part be mediated through cleavage and inactivation of HAI-2, resulting in increases in HGF/SF activation and MET signaling. HAI-2 is a physiological inhibitor of hepsin and matriptase, two type II transmembrane serine proteases that, like HGF activator, can convert latent pro-HGF/SF into the two-chain active signaling heterodimer. The structures of these KD1 domains are similar to those of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|...
gi 449310795 125 EPCMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22621    1 DFCHLPKVVGRCRASFPRWWYNATSQSCQEFIFGGCKGNLNNFLSEQECLQKC 53

scorpion venom Kunitz-type toxin (KTT) such as LmKTT-1a, BmKTT-1, and BmKTT-2; This model includes scorpion Kunitz-type toxin (KTT) such as Lychas mucronatus LmKTT-1a (also called Delta-KTx 2.1 or SdPII), Mesobuthus martensii BmKTT-1 (also called Delta-KTx 2.4) and BmKTT-2 (also called Delta-KTx 3.1), all expressed by the venom gland. LmKTT-1a, BmKTT-1 and BmKTT-2 are all dual-function toxins that completely inhibit trypsin activity but have no effect on chymotrypsin or elastase. They also inhibit mKv1.3/KCNA3 potassium channel currents. The structures of these domains are similar to those of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor); however, they lack the conserved CysII-CysIV disulfide bond but contains 2 cysteine residues at the C-terminus that generate a new disulfide bond.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22620    3 CQLPSDTGRGKASFTRYYYNEESGKCETFIYGGVGGNSNNFLTKEDCCKEC 53

first Kunitz domain of WAP, Kazal, immunoglobulin, Kunitz and NTR domain-containing proteins; This subfamily includes WAP, Kazal, immunoglobulin, Kunitz and NTR domain-containing protein 1 (WFIKKN1, WFKN1), WFIKKN2 (WFKN2), and similar proteins. WFIKKN proteins are protease inhibitors that contain two distinct Kunitz-type protease inhibitor domains. They may have serine protease- and metalloprotease-inhibitor activity. This model represents the first Kunitz domain that is similar to Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor) that shows an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22605    2 CLKEPDREDCGEEQVRWYFDAKRGNCFTFTYGGCDGNRNHFETYEECRLAC 52

second Kunitz domain of Carboxypeptidase Inhibitor SmCI and similar domains; This group includes Sabellastarte magnifica carboxypeptidase inhibitor (SmCI), a tri-domain BPTI-Kunitz inhibitor capable of inhibiting serine proteases and A-like metallocarboxypeptidases. While the BPTI-Kunitz family of proteins includes voltage gated channel blockers and inhibitors of serine proteases, SmCI is the only BPTI-Kunitz protein capable of inhibiting metallocarboxypeptidases. Binding studies show that SmCI is able to bind three trypsin molecules under saturating conditions, but only one elastase interacts with the inhibitor. Additionally, SmCI can bind serine proteases and carboxypeptidases at the same time (at least in the ratio 1:1:1), thus becoming the first protease inhibitor that simultaneously blocks these two mechanistic classes of enzymes. This model contains the second Kunitz domain of SmCI, which has a structure similar to those of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22602    1 CSLPSKVGPCRVSARRWFHNPETEKCEVFIYGGCHGNANRFATETECQEVC 51

first Kunitz domain of bikunin and similar proteins; This subfamily includes the N-terminal domain of bikunin (also known as inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor light chain (ITI-LC) or urinary trypsin inhibitor), a plasma protease inhibitor, that is associated with inflammation and stabilizes the extracellular matrix. It is encoded together with alpha-1-microglobulin (A1M) by an alpha-1-microglobulin/bikunin precursor (AMBP) gene that is tightly controlled by several hepatocyte-enriched nuclear (HEN) factors, and cleaved by a furin-like protease that releases the two mature molecules. Bikunin is a Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor, found in vertebrate serum and urine, modified by a chondroitin sulfate (CS) chain. The structures of these toxins are similar to that of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds. Bikunin contains two Kunitz domains; this model represents the first repeat.

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                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|...
gi 449310795 125 EPCMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22596    1 DSCKLPPDAGPCFGMIQRYFYNSSSMACQTFNYGGCLGNQNNFVTEKECLQTC 53

Stichodactyla helianthus Kunitz inhibitor protein ShPI-1, Heteractis crispa protease inhibitor stichotoxin-Hcr2e, and similar proteins; This model includes Kunitz inhibitor protein ShPI-1, the major protease inhibitor from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus, as well as protease inhibitor stichotoxin-Hcr2e (also called PI- stichotoxin-Hcr2e, PI-SHTX-Hcr2e, or Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor InhVJ) and HCRG1 from Heteractis crispa. ShPI-1 has an unusually broad specificity toward several serine proteases, including trypsin, chymotrypsin, human neutrophil elastase, kallikrein and plasmin, and can also bind aspartic and cysteine proteases, such as pepsin and papain, respectively. PI-SHTX-Hcr2e and HCRG1 inhibit trypsin and chymotrypsin, but do not inhibit the serine proteases plasmin, thrombin, kallikrein, the cysteine proteinase papain, and the aspartic protease pepsin. The structures of these domains are similar to those of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22618    2 CSEPKVVGPCKAYFPRFYFDSETGKCTPFIYGGCGGNGNNFETLHACRAIC 52

Kunitz domain found in the amyloid-beta precursor protein (ABPP) subfamily; This subfamily includes the amyloid-beta precursor protein (ABPP, also called APP, APPI, Alzheimer disease amyloid protein, amyloid-beta A4 protein, cerebral vascular amyloid peptide (CVAP), protease nexin II (PN2)), as well as amyloid-like protein 2 (APLP2, also called amyloid protein homolog or APPH), among others. ABPP/APPI is an inhibitor of serine proteases such as anionic and cationic trypsins. For example, APPI-4M is a variant that specifically inhibits Kallikrein (KLK)-related peptidase 6 (KLK6), which is highly upregulated in several types of cancer where its increased activity promotes cancer invasion and metastasis. Amyloid-like protein 2 (APLP2) inhibits trypsin, chymotrypsin, plasmin, factor XIA, and plasma and glandular kallikrein, and may play a role in the regulation of hemostasis. Proteins in this subfamily contain a single Kunitz domain, with a structure similar to those of other Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNAC 177
Cdd:cd22607    2 CSEQAETGPCRAMMPRWYFDVTEGKCAPFIYGGCGGNRNNFESEEYCMAVC 52

Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor subunit of beta 2-bungarotoxin, and similar proteins; This model includes the Kunitz inhibitor subunit of beta 2-bungarotoxin, a presynaptic neurotoxin of the Bungarus multicinctus venom. Beta-bungarotoxin is a heterodimeric neurotoxin consisting of a phospholipase subunit linked by a disulfide bond to the Kunitz protease inhibitor subunit; the latter subunit is homologous to venom basic protease inhibitors but has no protease inhibitor activity and is non-toxic. The beta-bungarotoxin Kunitz subunit serves to guide the toxin to its site of action on the presynaptic membrane by virtue of a high-affinity interaction with a specific subclass of voltage-sensitive potassium channels. This subfamily also includes Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor homolog beta-bungarotoxin B1 chain and protease inhibitor-like protein 1 (PILP-1). The B1 chain also has no protease inhibitor activity but blocks voltage-gated potassium channels, while PILP-1 inhibits trypsin. The structures of these domains are similar to those of Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors such as BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor), showing an alpha/beta fold with irregular secondary structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds.

                         10        20        30        40        50
                 ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|..
gi 449310795 127 CMLPSDKGNCQDILTRWYFDSQKHQCRAFLYSGCRGNANNFLTKTDCRNACM 178
Cdd:cd22619    7 CDKPPDTKRCKRVVRAFYYNPSAKTCLQFVYGGCNGNGNHFKSKALCRCHCH 58

WAP-type (Whey Acidic Protein) 'four-disulfide core'; WAP belongs to the group of Elafin or elastase-specific inhibitors.

                          10        20        30        40
                  ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|.
gi 449310795  182 KKGQCPLFPFqmRMECPASCKNDMDCPEKEKCCESRCGFIC 222
Cdd:pfam00095   1 KPGCCPRLGA--RGCCRSCCSSDDDCPGRQKCCSNGCGSVC 39

WAP-type (Whey Acidic Protein) 'four-disulfide core'; WAP belongs to the group of Elafin or elastase-specific inhibitors.

                          10        20        30        40
                  ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|....
gi 449310795   79 KVGECPRQRLecRNESLSSCKTDFNCKAHFKCCQFACGRKCMDP 122
Cdd:pfam00095   1 KPGCCPRLGA--RGCCRSCCSSDDDCPGRQKCCSNGCGSVCVPP 42

Four-disulfide core domains;

                           10        20        30        40
                   ....*....|....*....|....*....|....*....|...
gi 449310795   182 KKGQCPLFP--FQMRMECPASCKNDMDCPEKEKCCESRCGFIC 222
Cdd:smart00217   1 KPGSCPWPTiaSCPLGNPPNKCSSDSQCPGVKKCCFNGCGKSC 43