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Inhibition of arginine aminopeptidase by bestatin and arphamenine analogues. Evidence for a new mode of binding to aminopeptidases.

The synthesis and inhibition kinetics of a new, potent inhibitor of arginine aminopeptidase (aminopeptidase B; EC 3.4.11.6) are reported. The inhibitor is a reduced isostere of bestatin in which the amide carbonyl is replaced by the methylene (-CH2-) moiety. Analysis of the inhibition of arginine aminopeptidase by this inhibitor according to the method of Lineweaver and Burk yields an unusual noncompetitive double-reciprocal plot. The replot of the slopes versus [inhibitor] is linear (Kis = 66 nM), but the replot of the y intercepts (1/V) versus [inhibitor] is hyperbolic (Kii = 10 nM, Kid = 17 nM). These results provide evidence for a kinetic mechanism in which the inhibitor binds to the S1' and S2' subsites on the enzyme, not the S1 and S1' subsites occupied by dipeptide substrates. Furthermore, structure-activity data for a series of ketomethylene dipeptide isosteres in which the amide (-CONH-) of a dipeptide is replaced with the ketomethylene (-COCH2-) moiety show that the S1 and S1' subsites preferentially bind basic and aromatic side chains, respectively. These results are in agreement with the known substrate specificity of arginine aminopeptidase. The structure-activity data for several bestatin analogues, however, show that these compounds do not bind to the S1 and S1' sites of arginine aminopeptidase. A comparison of the data provides evidence that bestatin inhibits arginine aminopeptidase and possibly other aminopeptidases by binding to the S1' and S2' sites of the enzyme.

Aminopeptidases↗

Short-term effect of a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet on aminopeptidase in adult rat jejunoileum. Site of aminopeptidase response.

The short-term effects of high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet on aminopeptidase N activity were studied in the brush-border membranes of proximal jejunum and proximal ileum of adult rats. The animals were starved overnight and re-fed for 15 h either with a standard diet (20% protein, 55% carbohydrate, in terms of energy content) or with a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet of equal energy content (70% protein, 5% carbohydrate). All rats consumed similar amounts of diet, and measurements were made 15 h after initiation of re-feeding. In the proximal jejunum a slight increase in aminopeptidase activity was observed after the high-protein intake. In contrast, considerable stimulation (52%) of the enzyme specific activity was obtained in the proximal ileum. This increase in ileal aminopeptidase activity was more prominent in the mature cells of the upper villus. To determine if the increase of aminopeptidase activity was due to an increased amount of enzyme protein, rocket immunoelectrophoresis was performed with detergent-solubilized brush-border protein from ileum on agarose gels containing anti-(rat brush-border) antiserum. When the same amount of enzyme activity was loaded on the gels, the peaks of immunoprecipitate for aminopeptidase were similar for animals fed on a standard or a high-protein diet. When the same amount of protein was loaded, the peak of immunoprecipitate for aminopeptidase was higher (81%) after a high-protein diet. These results showed that the high protein intake evoked an increase in aminopeptidase activity, with a concomitant increase in the amount of immunoreactive protein.

Aminopeptidases↗

cDNA cloning and expression of chicken aminopeptidase H, possessing endopeptidase as well as aminopeptidase activity.

Chicken aminopeptidase H is a cysteine protease possessing endopeptidase as well as aminopeptidase activity [Rhyu, M. R., Nishimura, T., Kato, Y., Okitani, A. & Kato, H. (1992) Eur. J. Biochem. 208, 53-59]. This enzyme exhibits molecular masses of 400 kDa on gel filtration and 52 kDa on SDS/PAGE, indicating that it consists of eight subunits with the same molecular mass. In the current study, we cloned the cDNA for the catalytic subunit of chicken aminopeptidase H. The open reading frame of the aminopeptidase H gene consists of 1362 base pairs encoding a 52-kDa protein consistent with the molecular mass determined on SDS/PAGE; the deduced amino acid sequence contains all the partial sequences determined for the purified enzyme. The sequence is similar to that of the bleomycin hydrolase of rabbit lung, which has been partially determined. The recombinant 52-kDa protein expressed in COS7 cells exhibited both aminopeptidase and endopeptidase activities, which were inhibited by monoiodoacetic acid. Furthermore, the expression of aminopeptidase H in COS7 cells was also recognized on immunoblotting. This gene is the first one for aminopeptidase H in an animal tissue whose sequence has been completely determined.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Properties and distribution of aminopeptidase and dipeptidyl aminopeptidase III of human erythrocytes.

The catalytic properties of depeptidyl aminopeptidase and aminopeptidase isolated from human erythrocytes, and the distribution of their activities in different blood cells were determined. Dipeptidyl aminopeptidase was shown to be of the dipeptidyl aminopeptidase III type, activated by Co2+ and inhibited by EDTA, pCMB and partially by DFP and leupeptin. Aminopeptidase preferred Lys-, Phe-, ARg-, and Met-2-naphthylamides as substrates. It was activated by Co2+ and inhibited by EDTA amastatin, bestatin and leupeptin. Dipeptidyl aminopeptidase III activity and aminopeptidase activity on arginine-2-naphthylamide was higher in the population of younger red blood cells. The same activities were also found in thrombocytes, mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in concentrations higher than those in erythrocytes.

Aminopeptidases↗

Aminopeptidase Y, a new aminopeptidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Purification, properties, localization, and processing by protease B.

A novel aminopeptidase, termed aminopeptidase Y, was purified from yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as two molecular forms of 70 and 75 kDa, which were identical immunologically, catalytically and in N-terminal sequence up to 14 residues. They contained 0.81 and 0.84 mol of zinc atom/mol of protein, respectively. N-Gly-canase generated a single 53-kDa species from both forms, and endoglycosidase H gave a 54-kDa species. Immunoblotting after subcellular fractionation showed that aminopeptidase Y is localized in the vacuole/lysosome-soluble compartment as the 70-kDa form. Aminopeptidase Y hydrolyzed all amino acid-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amides (MCA) examined, especially Lys- and Arg-MCA. Dipeptidyl-MCAs were far more rapidly hydrolyzed (Lys-Ala-MCA/Lys-MCA = 350-fold, Arg-Arg-MCA/Arg-MCA = 150-fold). Hydrolysis of amino acid-MCAs or dipeptides was markedly enhanced by Co2+, whereas that of dipeptidyl-MCAs, tripeptides, and larger peptides was inhibited. Rabbit anti-aminopeptidase Y antiserum adsorbed over half the aminopeptidase activities in vacuolar extract from wild-type yeast cells. ABYS1 mutant cells from which the genes of four vacuolar proteases had been deleted contained aminopeptidase Y as a 74-kDa proform. This was converted to the mature form (70 kDa) by vacuolar extract of wild-type cells and by purified yeast vacuolar protease B.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Post-proline dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase from synaptosomal membranes of guinea-pig brain. A possible role for this activity in the hydrolysis of His-ProNH2, arising from the action of synaptosomal membrane pyroglutamate aminopeptidase on thyroliberin.

In this paper we report that while 55% of the total post-proline dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase activity in guinea-pig brain is associated with the soluble fraction of the cells, the remaining activity is widely distributed throughout the particulate fractions. A significant portion of this particulate activity is, however, associated with a synaptosomal membrane fraction. The specific activity of this enzyme rose as the synaptosomal membrane fraction was prepared from a synaptosomal fraction and had previously risen at the synaptosomal fraction was prepared from a postmitochondrial pellet. The synaptosomal membrane post-proline dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase was released from the membrane by treatment with Triton X-100 and partially purified by chromatography on Sephadex G-200. By contrast with the soluble enzyme the partially purified solubilised synaptosomal membrane post-proline dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase was not inhibited by 1.0 mM p-chloromercuribenzoate, 1.0 mM N-ethylmaleimide or 0.5 mM puromycin but was inhibited by 0.5 mM bacitracin. The partially purified solubilised enzyme was capable of releasing His-Pro from His-Pro-Val, His-Pro-Leu, His-Pro-Phe and His-Pro-Tyr and of releasing Gly-Pro from Gly-Pro-Ala but could not release Arg-Pro from Arg-Pro-Pro or from Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Ser-Pro-Phe-Arg (bradykinin). It was also unable to release Pro-Pro from Pro-Pro-Gly or Glp-Pro from Glp-Pro-Ser-Lys-Asp-Ala-Phe-Ile-Gly-Leu-MetNH2 (eledoisin). Using [Pro-3H]thyroliberin we show that the membrane-bound enzyme converts His-ProNH2, produced by the action of the synaptosomal membrane pyroglutamate aminopeptidase, to His-Pro thus competing with the spontaneous cyclisation of His-ProNH2 to His-Pro diketopiperazine. Purified preparations of synaptosomal membrane pyroglutamate aminopeptidase were used to generate His-ProNH2, which could then be converted to His-Pro by the presence of the partially purified synaptosomal membrane post-proline dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase. This preparation was free of contaminating post-proline cleaving endopeptidase, carboxypeptidase P, aminopeptidase P, prolyl carboxypeptidase or proline dipeptidase.

Animals↗

Cloning of genes of the aminopeptidase T family from Thermus thermophilus HB8 and Bacillus stearothermophilus NCIB8924: apparent similarity to the leucyl aminopeptidase family.

To obtain genes with sequence similarity to aminopeptidase T (AP-T) of Thermus aquaticus YT-1, we cloned the genes encoding aminopeptidase Th (AP-Th) from Thermus thermophilus HB8 and aminopeptidase II (APII) from Bacillus stearothermophilus NCIB8924. The AP-Th gene encoded a polypeptide of 408 amino acid residues and the deduced molecular weight of this subunit was 45,015. The APII gene encoded a polypeptide of 413 amino acid residues with a deduced molecular weight of 46,207. The extent of amino acid sequence similarity between AP-Th and AP-T was 86%, and that between APII and AP-T was 43%. The substrate specificities of these expressed enzymes were similar, and each efficiently hydrolyzed leucyl- or phenyl-peptide substrates. Since the deduced amino acid sequence of these enzymes show no similarity to other known aminopeptidases, they appear to comprise an independent family of peptidases, designated the AP-T family. However, a conserved region within the enzymes of the AP-T family shows similarity to the active site signature of the leucyl aminopeptidase family, suggesting that these enzymes may belong to the leucyl aminopeptidase superfamily.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Soluble and immobilized clostridial aminopeptidase and aminopeptidase P as metal-requiring enzymes.

The dependence of enzymatic activity on Co2+ concentration was found to be bell-shaped for the soluble and immobilized clostridial aminopeptidase (alpha-aminoacyl-peptide hydrolase, EC 3.4.11.13) and aminopeptidase P (aminoacylpropyl-peptide hydrolase, EC 3.4.11.9), with maxima in the 3-18 microM range of Co2+ concentration. The Co2+-enzyme association constants derived from the activation of soluble, glass- and cellulose-bound clostridial aminopeptidase by Co2+ were KE-Co = 5.2 X 10(5), 4.5 X 10(6) and 2.0 X 10(5) M-1, respectively; for soluble and glass-bound aminopeptidase P, the KE-Co were 1.5 X 10(5) and 8.2 X 10(5) M-1, respectively. Kinetic measurements indicate the involvement of Co2+ in the enzyme-substrate binding. Cobalt-citrate (Co-cit) acted as a useful metallobuffer and protected both enzymes against inhibition by high concentrations of CoSO4. For association of citrate with Co2+ under the assay conditions, KCo-cit was determined as (5.3 +/- 1.4) X 10(3) M-1 by anodic stripping polarography. In contrast to the rapid association of Co2+ with soluble and glass-bound clostridial aminopeptidase (less than 1 min at 4 degrees C), the dissociation process was very slow (hours to days), being slower for the glass-bound than for the soluble and cellulose-bound enzyme. For aminopeptidase P, both processes were rapid. All the interactions were shown to be reversible.

Aminopeptidases↗

Molecular cloning of soluble aminopeptidases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sequence analysis of aminopeptidase yscII, a putative zinc-metallopeptidase.

Plasmids capable of complementing lap1, lap2 and lap3 mutations [R.J. Trumbly and G. Bradley (1983) J. Bacteriol. 156, 36-48] were isolated from a yeast YEp13 library by screening for activity against the chromogenic aminopeptidase substrate L-leucine beta-naphthylamide in intact yeast colonies. The genomic inserts were shown to contain the structural genes for aminopeptidases yscII, yscIII and yscIV. Plasmids containing the gene encoding aminopeptidase yscII of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, APE2 (LAP1) were analyzed in detail. APE2 was determined by DNA blot analysis to be a single-copy gene located on chromosome XI. The cloned fragment was used to identify a 2.7-kb mRNA. The cloned APE2 gene was sequenced and found to consist of an open reading frame of 2583 bp encoding a protein of 861 amino acids. The protein sequence contains two putative N-glycosylation sites. A significant amino acid similarity was detected between the APE2 gene product and members of the zinc-dependent metallopeptidase gene family. Chromosomal disruption of the APE2 gene completely abolishes the distinct activity band previously identified as aminopeptidase yscII [H.H. Hirsch, P. Suárez-Rendueles, T. Achstetter and D.H. Wolf (1988) Eur. J. Biochem. 173, 589-598] in crude extracts subjected to non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subsequent aminopeptidase activity staining. No vital consequence of aminopeptidase yscII absence on cell growth could be detected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular cloning of the aminopeptidase Y gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sequence analysis and gene disruption of a new aminopeptidase.

A yeast genomic DNA encoding a new vacuolar aminopeptidase, aminopeptidase Y, was isolated by using a cDNA fragment obtained by screening the lambda gt11 yeast cDNA library with anti-aminopeptidase Y antibody. The DNA sequence encodes 537 amino acids. The "mature" protein, whose NH2-terminal sequence was determined previously by analysis of the purified enzyme, consists of 481 amino acids, and the calculated molecular weight (52,900) coincides with the value obtained by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the enzyme after removal of sugar chains, 53 kDa. The 56-residue preprosequence was divided into two parts by putative processing sites for signal peptidase and conversion to the mature form; the 21-residue presequence has a hydrophobic stretch which may function as the signal sequence for transit through the endoplasmic reticulum, and the 35-residue prosequence (4013 Da) accounts for the 4-kDa difference between proaminopeptidase Y in the vacuolar proteases-deleted ABYS1 mutant and wild-type mature enzyme. The aminopeptidase Y gene was localized on chromosome II by genetic mapping. A deletion mutant was constructed by disrupting the aminopeptidase Y gene. Vacuolar aminopeptidase activities toward Ala-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide (MCA) and Lys-MCA were 13 and 20% of wild-type, and those in the presence of Co2+ were 2.2 and 2.8%, respectively. Mutant cells showed no ability to hydrolyze Lys-Ala-MCA to Lys and Ala-MCA, although vacuolar carboxypeptidase Y activity was similar to that in wild-type cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of progesterone and estradiol on aminopeptidase A (AAP) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activities in the pregnancy serum and placenta of the rat.

We investigated the effects of estradiol and progesterone on placental aminopeptidase A and leucine aminopeptidase activities in pregnant rats. Estradiol (0.5, 1.0 and 2 mg/day) plus progesterone (5, 10 and 20 mg/day) was given for five days starting from the 16th day. Changes in both enzyme activities in the serum, placental cytosol and microsome caused by the steroids were analyzed. Aminopeptidase A activities in all three compartments and leucine aminopeptidase activities in the serum and cytosol were stimulated by estradiol (1.0 mg/day) plus progesterone (10 mg/day). Since we previously found that the placental aminopeptidases degrade peptide hormones, our present study suggests that steroids effect the metabolism of peptide hormones of fetal and/or maternal origin.

Aminopeptidases↗

Comparison of leucine aminopeptidase and aminopeptidase III activities in lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relative contribution of leucine aminopeptidase and aminopeptidase III activities to the total aminopeptidase activity in bovine and human lenses under in vivo pH conditions. METHODS: Bovine and human lens extracts were fractionated on a Sephadex G-200 column at pH 6.9 and 8.5 and all the fractions were assayed with Leu-pNA and Arg-pNA as substrates at in vivo lens pH (6.9) and optimum pH for leucine aminopeptidase, (8. 5). The major peptidases were purified and their activities compared with that of LAP and AP III isolated from bovine lens. The ability of bovine and human lens extracts and purified bovine lens LAP and AP III to hydrolyze various peptide bonds in synthetic peptides, VHLPTVEK, bradykinin and Ile-Ser-bradykinin was determined by amino acid analysis of the reaction products. RESULTS: Sephadex G-200 gel chromatography and assay of all the fractions at pH 6.9 showed that the elution volume for the predominant aminopeptidase present in bovine lens extract is the same as that of purified AP III from the same lenses. However, when the assays were done at pH 8.5, the major activity eluting from the Sephadex G-200 column was found in fractions having LAP. A similar study of human lens extracts at pH 6. 9 and 8.5 showed one major peak with elution volume corresponding to that of purified bovine lens AP III: The human lens extracts displayed a very low level of LAP activity. The hydrolysis pattern of peptide substrates by AP III paralleled that of bovine and human lens extract at pH 6.9. The X-Pro bond resistant to LAP in peptide substrate, VHLTPVEK was hydrolyzed by AP III as well as lens extracts. CONCLUSION: Both bovine and human lenses have very low LAP activity compared to AP III activity at in vivo pH 6.9. AP III, by its higher activity, broad specificity and its ability to cleave peptide bonds that are resistant to LAP, is likely to play a major role in lens during epithelial cell differentiation into fiber cells and complete hydrolysis of peptides generated in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The aminopeptidase activity in the human T-cell lymphoma line (Jurkat) is not at the cell surface and is not aminopeptidase N (CD-13).

Although lymphocytes are CD-13-negative and therefore should not express the ectoenzyme aminopeptidase N (AP-N), there have been a number of reports suggesting the presence of a cell-surface aminopeptidase with many similarities to AP-N. We have determined aminopeptidase activity with 4-methyl-7-coumarylamide (NMec) derivatives of alanine, leucine, lysine and arginine in Jurkat cells (a human T-cell lymphoma line) and in HL60 cells (a CD-13-positive myeloid leukaemia line) and compared the activities with those of purified pig AP-N and human renal microvillar membranes. Jurkat cell aminopeptidase activity doubled on disrupting the cells and the sensitivity to amastatin increased. When the cells were fractionated only 4% of the activity was recovered in the membrane fraction, compared with 87% recovery for alkaline phosphatase. The profile of activities for intact Jurkat cells was Leu > Ala > Lys > Arg, changing in the cytosolic fraction to Lys > or = Arg > Leu = Ala; the profiles for intact HL60 cells and AP-N were identical, namely Ala > Leu > Arg > Lys. The Km values for the hydrolysis of Ala-NMec and Leu-NMec by Jurkat cells were 65 microM and 11 microM, in each case some 6-fold lower than those for AP-N. The pH-activity curves for the hydrolysis of Ala-NMec by Jurkat cells and human renal microvillar membranes were displaced by almost 1 pH unit and the activity was not sensitive to the anionic composition of the buffers. However, a 3-fold activation of the cytosolic activity by 0.1 M NaCl was observed with Arg-NMec as substrate. With Ala-NMec as substrate, the sensitivity of the aminopeptidase activity to inhibitors increased markedly after disrupting the cells, but still differed from that observed with purified pig AP-N; the concentrations giving 50% inhibition were as follows (values for AP-N in parentheses): amastatin. 28 nM (150 nM); bestatin, 12 microM (43 microM), probestin, 100 nM (< 10 nM), puromycin, 30 microM (> 1 mM). Anion exchange chromatography on Mono Q revealed two activities: that of peak I preferentially hydrolysed Arg-NMec, was activated by NaCl and was insensitive to amastatin; while that of peak II was strongly inhibited by amastatin and had a broad specificity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amides↗

Expression of placental leucine aminopeptidase and adipocyte-derived leucine aminopeptidase in human normal and malignant invasive trophoblastic cells.

We recently identified two novel aminopeptidases, placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP) and adipocyte-derived leucine aminopeptidase (A-LAP). Enzymatically, P-LAP degrades oxytocin, vasopressin, and angiotensin III, while A-LAP degrades angiotensin II and kallidin. In this study we investigated the expression and localization of P-LAP and A-LAP in human trophoblastic cells in the normal placenta (n = 26), gestational choriocarcinoma (n = 8), and placental site trophoblastic tumor (n = 3). On immunoblot analysis both P-LAP and A-LAP proteins were detected in normal placenta and five choriocarcinoma tissues, as well as in two choriocarcinoma cell lines. Immunohistochemical staining of normal placental tissues demonstrated that P-LAP was not only localized in villous syncytiotrophoblasts but also highly expressed in extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) invading the decidua or maternal spiral arteries. The expression level of P-LAP on these invasive EVTs reached a maximum during the late first to second trimesters of pregnancy, and it decreased in the third trimester. Similarly, A-LAP was strongly expressed in EVTs invading the decidua or spiral arteries in the second trimester of pregnancy, while it was weakly or moderately expressed in villous cytotrophoblasts or EVTs located in the cell columns. These two aminopeptidases were more strongly expressed in all eight choriocarcinomas and three placental site trophoblastic tumors and mainly localized to the intermediate-type trophoblastic tumor cells invading the uterine myometrium or stromal vessels. In summary P-LAP and A-LAP were predominantly expressed in the invasive phenotype of EVTs during placentation, as well as in the invasive tumor cells of trophoblastic neoplasms. These results suggest the involvement of these aminopeptidases in invasiveness of both normal and malignant intermediate-type trophoblasts possibly through degradation of specific peptide substrates.

Adipocytes↗

Aminopeptidase from Streptomyces griseus: primary structure and comparison with other zinc-containing aminopeptidases.

The aminopeptidase from Streptomyces griseus is a calcium-activated metalloenzyme, which contains 2 mol tightly bound zinc/mol protein. This aminopeptidase rapidly hydrolyzes peptide bonds formed by N-terminal hydrophobic amino acids, such as leucine, methionine and phenylalanine. We have determined the complete primary structure of the protein, which contains 284 amino acid residues, yielding a molecular mass of 29723 Da. A search in the Swiss-Prot database for sequence similarities revealed a low degree of identity (26-34%) to Saccharomyces cerevisiae aminopeptidase Y, Aeromonas proteolytica aminopeptidase, and a hypothetical 49.5-kDa protein from Bacillus subtilis, which is supposed to belong to the aminopeptidase Y family. In all these proteins, the residues that are known to be involved in zinc coordination are conserved.

Aeromonas↗

[Comparison between leucyl aminopeptidase and pseudo leucine aminopeptidase activities in sera].

The highest activities of leucyl aminopeptidase(LAP, cytosol aminopeptidase, EC 3.4.11.1) in sera have been found in patients with acute hepatitis(Kanno et al., Am J Clin Path, 82: 700-705, 1984). I observed inpatients with very high activities of LAP and alcohol dehydrogenase(AD) in sera. However, only slight elevations of serum pseudo leucine aminopeptidase(PLA), that is, membrane alanyl aminopeptidase(MAA, microsomal aminopeptidase, EC 3.4.11.2) activities for hydrolysis of leucyl-4-nitroanilide were observed in these patients. They were patients in critical care unit with ischemia caused by a cardiopulmonary arrest, multiple trauma, acute myocardial infarction or operation. Therefore, we should measure LAP activities in sera rather than PLA(MAA) activities in these patients.

Acute Disease↗

[Role of aminopeptidases in enkephalin catabolism: comparative study of the regional distribution of aminopeptidases and enkephalinase A in the rat brain].

In order to elucidate the role of aminopeptidases in enkephalin catabolism in rat brain, the local distribution of two types of cerebral cellular membrane aminopeptidases (puromycin-sensitive and puromycin-insensitive ones) and of the enkephalin system marker, enkephalinase A, was studied. It was found that the distribution patterns of the former enzymes differ essentially from that of enkephalinase A. Study of coupling between the enzymatic activities in different regions of rat brain revealed a strong correlation between the activities of puromycin-insensitive aminopeptidase and enkephalinase A in midbrain (including hypothalamus). It was supposed that in midbrain the role of aminopeptidase M in intrasynaptic inactivation of enkephalins is much more conspicuous than in other regions of rat brain. The puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase activity does not seem to play a role in enkephalin catabolism.

Aminopeptidases↗

Proteolytic activities in plasma membrane preparations from rat liver. 2. Partial purification and characterization of membrane bound endopeptidases, dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase IV and aminopeptidase.

Plasma membranes (PM) were prepared from nuclear and microsomal fractions of rat liver as described in the preceding paper. Four different proteolytic activities were studied and found to be solubilized from PM fractions after detergent treatment: endopeptidase activity at neutral and acid pH, dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase IV, and (alanine-)aminopeptidase. Both PM preparations contain a serine-endopeptidase with optimal activity against azocasein at pH 7.6. After solubilization of PM derived from microsomal fractions (PM-m) and gel filtration this activity shows an apparent molecular mass of 220 +/- 20 kD. This membrane proteinase is different from other known serine proteinases of liver cells because of its large molecular mass and an activating effect of 1,10-phenanthroline. PM derived from microsomal fractions contain additional endopeptidase with a pH optimum of 5.2 that could be inhibited by 4-chloromercuribenzoate, leupeptin and Z-Phe-Ala-diazomethylketone. Using detergent solubilization and gel filtration this acid endopeptidase activity in PM-m can be resolved into three peaks with apparent molecular masses (detergent forms) of 180 +/- 10, 80 +/- 10 and 35 +/- 10 kD, the latter may be cathepsin L. In addition to the endopeptidases, PM-m were shown to contain also aminopeptidases degrading Ala-Pro-pNA and Ala-pNA. The former activity, dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase IV (DPP IV), has features similar to DPP IV from other microvillus membranes (inhibition by DIFP and PMSF, pH optimum at 7.7). The Ala-pNA degrading aminopeptidase is inhibited by chelating agents and some bivalent heavy metal ions, but is activated by Co++-ions. Both enzymes apparently were eluted as monomers (molecular mass 180-190 kD) after gel filtration in detergent containing buffers.

Aminopeptidases↗