INTERLEUKIN 1(BETA) PROTEASE AND INTERLEUKIN 1(BETA) PROTEASE INHIBITOR

摘要

There is disclosed an isolated polypeptide and derivatives thereof having protease biological activity for human precursor IL-1 beta and for a substrate comprising : R1-Asp-R2-R3 wherein R1 and R3 are independently any D or L isomer amino acid, R2 is Ala or Gly, and wherein the specific protease cleavage site is between Asp and R2. Inhibitor compounds, compositions and methods for inhibiting Interleukin 1 beta protease activity are also disclosed. The inhibitor compounds comprise an amino acid sequence of from 1 to about 5 amino acids having an N-terminal blocking group and a C-terminal Asp residue connected to an electronegative leaving group, wherein the amino acid sequence corresponds to the sequence Ala-Tyr-Val-His-Asp.