The complete amino acid sequence of a Kunitz family trypsin inhibitor from seeds of Acacia confusa

The complete amino acid sequence of a Kunitz-type two-chain trypsin inhibitor was determined for the first time. The sequence of the inhibitor from Acacia confusa (ACTI) was determined by analysis of peptides obtained from the reduced and S-carboxymethylated protein by digestion with endopeptidase Lys-C, endopeptidase Arg-C, and V8 endopeptidase. ACTI is comprised of two chains, namely A and B chains linked by the disulfide bridge between Cys(133) and Cys(141), and the inhibitor consists of 175 amino acid residues, 136 residues in the A-chain and 39 residues in the B-chain. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of ACTI shows extensive homology to the trypsin inhibitors from Acacia elata and Albizzia julibrissin, while the whole amino acid sequence of ACTI has a high degree of homology to the other Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitors from soybeans, winged bean seeds [Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L) DC.], and seeds of Erythrina species.