A hinge region mutation in C1-inhibitor (Ala436-->Thr) results innonsubstrate-like behavior and in polymerization of the molecule

C1-inhibitor(Mo), a dysfunctional C1-inhibitor molecule produced in two kindred with type II hereditary angioedema, has a mutation at the P10 position (Ala436 to Thr). Like most serpins with hinge region mutations (P14, P12, P10), C1-inhibitor(Mo) loses its inhibitory activity. However, unlike the other hinge region mutations, this mutant is not converted to a substrate. As shown by nondenaturing gel electrophoresis, gel filtration, sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, and electron microscopy, C1-inhibitor(Mo) exists in both monomeric and multimeric forms. Polymerization probably results from reactive center loop insertion into the A sheet of an adjacent molecule. Native C1-inhibitor(Mo) was shown to have a thermal stability profile intermediate to those of intact and of cleaved normal C1-inhibitor. Native C1-inhibitor(Mo) did not bind to monoclonal antibody KII, which binds only to reactive center-cleaved normal C1-inhibitor. It did, however, react with monoclonal antibody KOK12, which recognizes complexed or cleaved C1-inhibitor but not intact normal C1-inhibitor. Native C1-inhibitor(Mo), therefore, exists in a conformation similar to the complexed form of normal C1-inhibitor.