Two Kunitz-Type Proteinase Inhibitors from Potato Tubers

Two proteinase inhibitors have been isolated from tubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum). Based on N-terminal amino acid sequence homologies, they are members of the Kunitz family of proteinase inhibitors. Potato Kunitz inhibitor-1 (molecular weight 19,500, isoelectric point 6.9) is a potent inhibitor of the animal pancreatic proteinase trypsin, and its amino terminus has significant homology to a recently characterized cathepsin D Kunitz inhibitor from potato tubers (Mares et al. [1989] FEBS Lett 251:94-98). Potato Kunitz inhibitor-2 (molecular weight 20,500, isoelectric point 8.6) is an inhibitor of the microbial proteinase subtilisin Carlsberg; its amino terminus is almost identical to an abundant 22 kilodalton protein from potato tubers (Suh et al. [1990] Plant Physiol 94:40-45) and has significant homology to other Kunitz-type subtilisin inhibitors from small grains. Both Kunitz inhibitors are abundant proteins of the cortex of potato tubers.