Conformational Change and Non-inhibitory Function
Certain non-inhibitory serpins also use the serpin conformational change as part of their function. For example, the native (S) form of thyroxine-binding globulin has high affinity for thyroxine, whereas the cleaved (R) form has low affinity. In similar manner, native (S) Cortisol-Binding Globulin (CBG) has higher affinity for cortisol than its cleaved (R) counterpart (Figure 3). Thus, in these serpins, RCL cleavage and the S to R transition has been commandeered to allow for ligand release, rather than protease inhibition.
Read more about this topic: Serine Protease Inhibitors
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