Barley α-amylase bound to its endogenous protein inhibitor BASI: crystal structure of the complex at 1.9 å resolution

Background: Barley α-amylase is a 45 kDa enzyme which is involved in starch degradation during barley seed germination. The released sugars provide the plant embryo with energy for growth. The major barley α-amylase isozyme (AMY2) binds with high affinity to the endogenous inhibitor BASI (barley α-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor) whereas the minor isozyme (AMY1) is not inhibited. BASI is a 19.6 kDa bifunctional protein that can simultaneously inhibit AMY2 and serine proteases of the subtilisin family. This inhibitor may therefore prevent degradation of the endosperm starch during premature sprouting and protect the seed from attack by pathogens secreting proteases. Results: The crystal structure of AMY2 in complex with BASI was determined and refined at 1.9 å resolution. BASI consists of a 12-stranded β-barrel structure which belongs to the β-trefoil fold family and inhibits AMY2 by sterically occluding access of the substrate to the active site of the enzyme. The AMY2–BASI complex is characterized by an unusual completely solvated calcium ion located at the protein–protein interface. Conclusions: The AMY2–BASI complex represents the first reported structure of an endogenous protein–protein complex from a higher plant. The structure of the complex throws light on the strict specificity of BASI for AMY2, and shows that domain B of AMY2 contributes greatly to the specificity of enzyme–inhibitor recognition. In contrast to the three-dimensional structures of porcine pancreatic α-amylase in complex with proteinaceous inhibitors, the AMY2–BASI structure reveals that the catalytically essential amino acid residues of the enzyme are not directly bound to the inhibitor. Binding of BASI to AMY2 creates a cavity, exposed to the external medium, that is ideally shaped to accommodate an extra calcium ion. This feature may contribute to the inhibitory effect, as the key amino acid sidechains of the active site are in direct contact with water molecules which are in turn ligated to the calcium ion.