The anti-proteolytic behavior of lathyrogens

The lathyrogens, β-aminopropionitrile and α-aminoacetonitrile inhibit both the esterolytic and proteolytic activity of trypsin at a concentration of 100 mM. Lineweaver-Burk plots demonstrate that inhibition is competitive, with α-aminoacetonitrile being the more potent inhibitor. The enzyme associated with and capable of digesting tropoelastin is inhibited by both lathyrogens when tested against its natural substrate, tropoelastin. Administration of α-aminoacetonitrile-HCl to the diet of young chicks (0.1% w/w) resulted in a 62% increase in the yield of tropoelastin and significant reduction in fatality as compared to β-aminopropionitrile-fumerate.