Investigation of the Interaction Between Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) and ACE-Inhibitory Tripeptide from Casein

Abstract

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides exhibit antihypertensive effects by inhibiting ACE activity, and the study of the interaction between ACEs and inhibitory peptides is important for exploring new therapeutic strategies. In this study, the ACE-inhibitory peptide isolated from casein hydrolysate with the amino acid sequence Leu–Leu–Tyr (LLY) exhibited high ACE-inhibitory activity and stability, which holds significant implications for biochemistry and pharmaceutical applications. Furthermore, systematic investigations were conducted on the interaction between ACE and LLY through various approaches. The Lineweaver–Burk plot indicated the non-competitive inhibition pattern of LLY, suggesting that it binds to the enzyme at the non-active site, and the results were further validated by a molecular docking study. Additionally, multispectral experiments and atomic force microscopy were conducted to further elucidate the underlying mechanism of peptide activity. The findings indicated that LLY could induce a conformational change in ACE, thereby inhibiting its activity. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the mechanism of action of ACE-inhibitory peptides and bears important significance for drug development in hypertension.