A Hypothesized Mechanism for Chronic Pancreatitis Caused by the N34S Mutation of Serine Protease Inhibitor Kazal-Type 1 Based on Conformational Studies

PURPOSE: Although strongly related, the pathophysiological effect of the N34S mutation in the serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) in chronic pancreatitis is still unknown. In this study, we investigate the conformational space of the human cationic trypsin-serine protease inhibitor complex. METHODS: Simulations with molecular dynamics, replica exchange, and transition pathway methods are used. RESULTS: Two main binding states of the inhibitor to the complex were found, which explicitly relate the influence of the mutation site to conformational changes in the active site of trypsin. CONCLUSION: Based on our result, a hypothesis is formulated that explains the development of chronic pancreatitis through accelerated digestion of the mutant by trypsin.