Functional Role of the Native Strain that is Distributed throughout an <$\alpha_1$-antitrypsin

The native strain of serpins (serine protease inhibitors) has been recognized as a mechanism of biological regulation. Indeed, some stabilizing single residue mutations of human $\alpha$$_1$-antitrypsin, a prototype serpin, relieved local strain and caused the loss of inhibitory activity. The native strain of $\alpha$$_1$-antitrypsin is distributed throughout the whole molecule, but the strain that regulates the function directly is highly localized in the regions that appear to be mobilized during complex formation with a target protease.(omitted)