Binding of the unreactive substrate analog L-2-amino-3-guanidinopropionic acid (dinor-L-arginine) to human arginase I

Human arginase I (HAI) is a binuclear manganese metalloenzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of L-arginine to form L-ornithine and urea through a metal-activated hydroxide mechanism. Since HAI regulates L-Arg bioavailability for NO biosynthesis, it is a potential drug target for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. X-ray crystal structures are now reported of the complexes of Mn₂²⁺-HAI and Co₂²⁺-HAI with L-2-amino-3-guanidinopropionic acid (AGPA; also known as dinor-L-arginine), an amino acid bearing a guanidinium side chain two methylene groups shorter than that of L-arginine. Hydrogen bonds to the α-carboxylate and α-amino groups of AGPA dominate enzyme–inhibitor recognition; the guanidinium group does not interact directly with the metal ions.