Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 2 (HAI-2) is a serine proteinase inhibitor containing two Kunitz-type inhibitor domains, initially identified as a potent inhibitor of hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA). In a previous study (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 255, 740 -748, 1999), we reported that a predominant transcript of mouse HAI-2 is a splicing variant lacking the first Kunitz domain (KD-1). Since KD-1 was reported to be responsible for the inhibition of HGFA in human HAI-2 and the second Kunitz domain (KD-2) of human HAI-2 was much less inhibitory against HGFA, it has been suggested that most of mouse HAI-2 may be ineffective in inhibiting HGFA. In this study, we have performed functional characterization of Kunitz domains in mouse HAI-2 by using recombinant proteins synthesized by Chinese hamster ovary cells without or with point mutation in the putative reactive site of each Kunitz domain. The results revealed that, unlike human HAI-2, KD-2 of mouse HAI-2 efficiently inhibits HGFA. Therefore, the major mouse HAI-2 protein that consists only of KD-2 can be a potent inhibitor of HGF activation in vivo. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).