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Beta-hexosaminidase, leucine aminopeptidase, cystidyl aminopeptidase, hepatic enzymes and bilirubin in serum of chronic alcoholics with acute ethanol intoxication.

beta-Hexosaminidase, leucine aminopeptidase, cystidyl aminopeptidase and routine liver parameters are studied in serum of chronic alcoholics with acute ethanol intoxication. The frequencies of pathological serum levels of the routine measurements made are in relatively good agreement with earlier reports. Serum leucine aminopeptidase and cystidyl aminopeptidase did now show any significant aberration in alcoholic liver disease. They correlated well with each other, and gamma-glutamyltransferase. beta-Hexosaminidase activity in serum was increased in almost all patients at the time of admission. All the patients showed decreasing values during the observation period.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗

Identification of an alanine aminopeptidase in human maternal serum as a membrane-bound aminopeptidase N.

In addition to cystine aminopeptidase (oxytocinase) alanine aminopeptidase is present at high levels in the serum of pregnant women. In this study we compared the enzyme with membrane-bound aminopeptidase N purified from human placenta. Comparison of catalytic and immunological properties and N-terminal sequence analyses revealed that the enzymes were differentially processed derivatives of the same protein, and that the N-terminal 68 residues of aminopeptidase N were deleted in the alanine aminopeptidase. The deleted sequence contains a small cytoplasmic region, a hydrophobic transmembrane domain and a junctional domain. These results suggest that the enzyme may be released into the maternal circulation as a result of lacking these three domains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The activities of alanine aminopeptidase, leucine aminopeptidase, proline dipeptidase and prolyl dipeptidase in the mucosa of the small intestine. Investigations on normal children and patients with the malabsorption syndrome.

Alanine aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.2), leucine aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.1), proline dipeptidase (EC 3.4.13.9), and prolyl dipeptidase (EC 3.4.13.8) have been investigated in small intestinal mucosa homogenates of normal children and children suffering from different degrees of villous damage. The activities of proline dipeptidase and prolyl dipeptidase could be shown to be significantly decreased in cases of subtotal and total villous atrophy, whereas the activities of alanine aminopeptidase and leucine aminopeptidase were not influenced. The results are discussed in view of the subcellular distribution of these enzymes.

Aminopeptidases↗

Decrease in cytosolic Aspartyl-aminopeptidase but not in Alanyl-aminopeptidase activity in the frontal cortex of the aged rat.

To test the neurotoxic hypothesis of excitatory amino acids, we evaluated the possible contribution to the free acidic amino acid pool of Aspartyl-aminopeptidase activity in the frontal cortex of adult (3 month old) and aged rats (3 groups of animals aged 26, 29 and 33 months). Aspartyl-aminopeptidase activity showed a significant decrease in the oldest rats (29 and 33 months old) whereas the activity of Alanyl-aminopeptidase, an unspecific enzyme, did not change with age. These data invalidate the idea that excess free acidic amino acids are released by aminopeptidases in the aged rat but do provide evidence of age-related changes in this enzymatic activity. The possible implications of our findings for general alterations in protein degradation are discussed.

Aging↗

Hydrolysis of alphas1- and beta-casein-derived peptides with a broad specificity aminopeptidase and proline specific aminopeptidases from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris AM2.

Aminopeptidase hydrolysis of alpha(s)1 - and beta-casein-derived synthetic peptides containing non-consecutive and consecutive proline residues was characterised. Aminopeptidase P (Pep P) (EC 3.4.11.9) or post-proline dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (PPDA) (EC 3.4.14.5) along with lysine-paranitroanilide hydrolase (KpNA-H) (EC 3.4.11.1) activities are required in the degradation of peptides containing non-consecutive proline residues. However, both Pep P and PPDA along with KpNA-H are required for hydrolysis of peptides containing consecutive proline residues. The results demonstrate the mechanism by which combinations of purified general and proline specific aminopeptidases from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris AM2 hydrolyse peptides containing proline residues.

Aminopeptidases↗

Sequence and structure comparison suggest that methionine aminopeptidase, prolidase, aminopeptidase P, and creatinase share a common fold.

Amino acid sequence comparison suggests that the structure of Escherichia coli methionine aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.18) and the C-terminal domain of Pseudomonas putida creatinase (EC 3.5.3.3) are related. A detailed comparison of the three-dimensional folds of the two enzymes confirms this homology: with an approximately 260-residue chain segment, 218 C alpha atoms of the structures superimpose within 2.5 A; only 41 of these overlapping positions (i.e., 19%) feature identical amino acids in the two protein chains. Notwithstanding this striking correspondence in structure, methionine aminopeptidase binds and is stimulated by Co2+, while creatinase is not a metal-dependent enzyme. Searches of protein data banks using sequence and structure-based profiles reveal other enzymes, including aminopeptidase P (EC 3.4.11.9), prolidase (EC 3.4.13.9), and agropine synthase, that likely share the same "pita-bread" fold common to creatinase and methionine aminopeptidase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Intramolecularly-quenched fluorescent peptides as fluorogenic substrates ofleucine aminopeptidase and inhibitors of clostridial aminopeptidase.

Fluorogenic oligopeptide derivatives of the type Lys(ABz)-ONBzl, where ABz iso-aminobenzoyl (anthraniloyl), X stands for Ala Phe, or Ala-Ala, and ONBzlis p-nitrobenzyloxy, were synthesized and shown to be hydrolyzed by leucine aminopeptidase. The hydrolysis is accompanied by an increase in fluorescence due to disruptionof the intramolecular quenching of the fluorescent anthraniloyl moiety by the nitrobenzyester group. The spectral characteristics of the compounds are not consistent withan energy transfer mechanism according to Förster, therefore the quenching isassumed to be caused by a direct encouter between the quenching and the fluorecentgroups. The change in fluorescence that accompanies the enzymic hydrolysis ofthe first peptide bound was used for quantitative measurement of the activity ofthe activity of leucine aminopeptidase and for the determination of some of itskinetic parameters. A bacterial aminopeptidase from Clostrdium histolyticumthat is very similar to leucine aminopeptidase in its substrate specificity inits substrate specificity did not hydrolyze the above peptidederivatives. Thehydrolysis of leucine p-nitroanilide by this enzyme was found to be inhibitedby the three peptides and the corresponding inhibition constants were determined.

Aminopeptidases↗

Prolyl aminopeptidase from rat brain and kidney. Action on peptides and identification as leucyl aminopeptidase.

Based on the liberation of proline from ProLeuGlyNH2 (MIF-1, melanostatin) manganese-activated prolyl aminopeptidase activities were purified from rat brain and kidney cytosolic fractions. They were distinguished from other di- and tripeptidases and an arylamidase liberating N-terminal proline. Purified prolyl aminopeptidase from both sources had identical molecular properties (native Mr 300,000, subunit Mr 54,000) and very similar catalytic properties. The action of the purified enzymes was not restricted to proline. Other, in particular lipophilic, amino acids were cleaved from di-, tri- and oligopeptides with even higher velocities. Peptides with N-terminal penultimate proline residues were not degraded. From a comparison of molecular data, action on peptides, influence of pH values, inhibitors and activators, it is concluded that the activity is identical with leucyl aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.1) and that a separate prolyl aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.5) does not exist in rats.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pericytes and periendothelial cells of brain parenchyma vessels co-express aminopeptidase N, aminopeptidase A, and nestin.

Within the parenchyma of the CNS, the endothelium of all vessels is surrounded by a layer of cells, pericytes in capillaries and periendothelial or intima smooth muscle cells in other vessels. The origin of these cell types, their relationship, and their role are unclear. However, it has been recently shown that genetically engineered mice that lack pericytes develop microaneurysms at late gestation and die before birth (Lindahl et al. [1997] Science 277:242-245). The goal of this study was to identify in situ molecular markers that would be common to pericytes and periendothelial cells of adult mouse brain. Immunocytochemistry experiments were carried out at the optical and electron-microscopic levels on mouse brain sections with antibodies specific for aminopeptidase N, aminopeptidase A, and the intermediate filament nestin. The results of our experiments show that in all brain parenchyma vessels of all sizes, pericytes and periendothelial cells are immunoreactive for aminopeptidase N, essentially at the plasma membrane level, and are also labeled by nestin specific antibodies, which decorate typical intermediate filaments. In addition, brain pericytes and periendothelial cells are also immunoreactive to monoclonal antibodies to aminopeptidase A. In contrast, pericytes and periendothelial cells do not express microglial markers. Taken together these data show that pericytes and periendothelial intima smooth muscle cells share common markers, suggesting a common origin or function, and are distinct from microglia.

Aminopeptidases↗

Lapstatin, a new aminopeptidase inhibitor produced by Streptomyces rimosus, inhibits autogenous aminopeptidases.

Lapstatin, a low-molecular-weight aminopeptidase inhibitor, was purified to homogeneity from Streptomyces rimosus culture filtrates. The purification procedure included extraction with methanol, followed by chromatography on Dowex 50WX4, AG50WX4, and HPLC RP C18 columns. By amino acid analysis, mass spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy, the structure of lapstatin was shown to be 3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoylvaline. Lapstatin inhibited the extracellular leucine aminopeptidases from Streptomyces rimosus, Streptomyces griseus, and Aeromonas proteolytica with an IC50 in the range of 0.3-2.4 microM. IC50 values for other enzymes tested were at least tenfold higher. Leucine aminopeptidase from Streptomyces griseus was inhibited in a competitive manner, with an inhibition constant of 5 x 10(-7) M. Lapstatin is the first low-molecular-weight compound isolated from streptomycetes shown to inhibit an autogenous aminopeptidase.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Genetic analysis of dPsa, the Drosophila orthologue of puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase, suggests redundancy of aminopeptidases.

Abstract. The Drosophila genome contains a single orthologue of mammalian puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidases, dPsa. Even though dPsa was expressed in many tissues during development, animals lacking dPsa activity were viable. Ubiquitous overexpression of dPsa during embryonic or larval development resulted in lethality and overexpression in isolated tissues during development resulted in localized lesions. These results suggest that even though dPsa function was not essential for viability, dPsa expression must be tightly regulated for normal development. By screening the Drosophila genome we found 43 predicted aminopeptidases and generated a phylogenetic tree of aminopeptidases related to dPsa by sequence. We discuss possible functions of dPsa and the idea that other Drosophila aminopeptidases might perform redundant functions with dPsa for regulating protein turnover.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification and characterization of leucyl aminopeptidase and pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase from human skeletal muscle.

The purification and characterization of leucyl aminopeptidase and pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase from human skeletal muscle are described. The characteristics of leucyl aminopeptidase were as follows: optimum activity was at pH 9.5 in the presence of 5 mmol/l Mg2+ or 0.5 mmol Mn2+. No activation of enzyme activity was obtained following addition of other divalent cations or sulphhydryl reagents. Only the leucyl-AMC and methionyl-AMC derivatives were appreciably hydrolysed. The mol mass was estimated as 280 kDa. Approx. 50% inhibition of activity was obtained following addition of p-hydroxymercuriphenyl sulphonate (10 mumol/l), N-ethyl maleimide (2 mmol/l), o-phenanthroline (5 mmol/l), bacitracin (1 mmol/l), amastatin (1 microgram/ml) and bestatin (0.1 mumol/l); no inhibition of activity was obtained in the presence of phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride (1 mmol/l), limabean trypsin inhibitor (100 microgram/ml) or pepstatin (100 microgram/ml). The following oligopeptides were hydrolysed by the enzyme: luliberin 7-10, proctolin and [Leu5]enkephalin; oligopeptides not appreciably hydrolysed included neurotensin, angiotensin-I, substance-P and bradykinin. Pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase had the following characteristics: optimum activity was at pH 8.5 in the presence of 1 mmol/l dithiothreitol (an absolute requirement for maintenance of enzyme activity). Maximum activity was obtained in the absence of divalent cations. Only the pyroglutamyl-AMC derivative was appreciably hydrolysed. The mol mass of this enzyme was estimated as 22 kDa. Approximately 50% inhibition of activity was obtained on addition of phenanthroline (4 mmol/l) and antipain (7 microgram/ml); no inhibition of activity was obtained following addition of phenyl methanesulphonyl fluoride (1 mmol/l), limabean trypsin inhibitor (100 microgram/ml) or pepstatin (100 microgram/ml). Only oligopeptides with a pyroglutamyl N-terminal residue (thyroliberin, neurotensin, and luliberin) were hydrolysed by the enzyme.

Cations, Divalent↗

Purification of membrane-bound aminopeptidase from rat brain: identification of aminopeptidase M.

Two different membrane-bound aminopeptidases were isolated from rat brain membranes, one with a puromycin sensitive activity and the other, not affected by 10 microM puromycin. The physicochemical, catalytic and immunological properties of the latter were compared to those of aminopeptidase M purified from rat kidney membranes and allowed us to conclude to large similarities between these two enzymes. Because the two brain aminopeptidases were both sensitive to bestatin, it remains to be established whether both or only aminopeptidase M is involved in endogenous enkephalin inactivation.

Aminopeptidases↗

Involvement of insulin-regulated aminopeptidase and/or aminopeptidase N in the angiotensin IV-induced effect on dopamine release in the striatum of the rat.

Locally administered angiotensin IV causes a dose-dependent increase of the dopamine levels in the striatum of the rat. The aminopeptidases insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) and/or aminopeptidase N (AP-N) are proposed to be involved in this effect since both enzymes are inhibited by angiotensin IV. In agreement with this hypothesis we demonstrate that by using the AP-N selective inhibitor 7B, about 60% of the aminopeptidase activity in striatal membranes could be attributed to AP-N (pK(i)=9.20). Higher concentrations of 7B are capable of inhibiting IRAP as well (pK(i)=7.26). Interestingly, in vivo, inhibition of IRAP or AP-N activity does not appear to be involved in the angiotensin IV-mediated effect in the striatum since 7B itself is not capable to induce dopamine release such as observed with angiotensin IV. However, 7B at a concentration selective for inhibition of AP-N (100 nM) potentiates the angiotensin IV-mediated increase of dopamine, suggesting that inhibition of AP-N lengthens the half-life of angiotensin IV. On the other hand, inhibition of both AP-N and IRAP by perfusion of 500 nM 7B completely abolishes the effect of angiotensin IV. We therefore hypothesize that the effect of angiotensin IV on dopamine release in the striatum is mediated via activation of IRAP and/or AP-N, possibly acting as receptors for angiotensin IV.

Angiotensin II↗

Triton-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and leucine aminopeptidase activity staining detect Triton-slowed bands including high-molecular-mass aminopeptidase N (CD13) isoform in cholestatic patient sera.

BACKGROUND: Western blotting of aminopeptidase N (APN) detects a high-molecular-mass isoform (260 kDa) [M. Kawai, Y. Otake, Y. Hara High-molecular-mass isoform of aminopeptidase N/CD13 in serum from cholestatic patients. Clin Chim Acta 330 (2003) 141-149] in cholestatic patient serum but is time-consuming. METHODS: Human sera were electrophoresed on polyacrylamide gel containing Triton-X100 (Triton-PAGE) and stained with leucine-B-naphthylamide (LAP-staining). The stained bands were eluted from the gel, treated with N- and O-glycosidase if necessary, and analyzed by Western blotting [M. Kawai, Y. Otake, Y. Hara High-molecular-mass isoform of aminopeptidase N/CD13 in serum from cholestatic patients. Clin Chim Acta 330 (2003) 141-149]. RESULTS: Triton-PAGE and LAP-staining clearly detected fast bands in all the sera examined. Almost parallel with leucine aminopeptidase activity, slow bands were strongly stained in all 11 cholestatic patients but clearly stained in 3 out of 14 patients with hepatobiliary diseases other than cholestasis. PAGE with various concentrations of Triton showed that Triton slows down slow bands but not fast bands. Western blotting showed that Triton-PAGE-slow bands of cholestasis contained 140 and 260-kDa APN and that fast bands were slightly smaller than monomer-size slow bands after glycosidase treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Less time-consuming than Western blotting, Triton-PAGE and LAP-staining detect novel APN bands slowed by Triton and partly composed of the high-molecular-mass isoform in cholestasis. The slow bands seem to be homodimers of APN with transmembrane anchors. The polypeptide of the fast band seems to be processed differently from that of the slow band.

Blotting, Western↗

Substrate specificity of aminopeptidase M: evidence that the commercial preparation is contaminated by dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV and prolidase.

Commercial preparations of aminopeptidases M split Gly-Pro-beta-naphthylamide (Gly-Pro-2-NNap) into Gly-Pro and beta-naphthylamine, and Ala-Pro into Ala and Pro. The activities on Gly-Pro-2-NNap and Ala-Pro were completely inhibited by diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP) and p-chloromercuribenzoate (PCMB), respectively. When the substrate specificity was analyzed with tuftsin, Thr and Lys-Pro-Arg were released, and then Lys-Pro-Arg was split into Lys-Pro and Arg. Thereafter, slow liberation of Lys and Pro from Lys-Pro took place. The DFP-treated enzyme released only Thr from tuftsin and no hydrolysis of Lys-Pro-Arg was observed. With the enzyme treated with PCMB, tuftsin was converted into Thr and Lys-Pro-Arg, followed by the liberation of Arg, but no release of Lys and Pro was observed, contrary to the case of the untreated-enzyme. These results show that commercial aminopeptidase M contains dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV and prolidase. Contamination by dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV was confirmed by an immunological method.

Aminopeptidases↗

Purification of an aminopeptidase preferentially releasing N-terminal alanine from cucumber leaves and its identification as a plant aminopeptidase N.

In this study, a highly active foliar aminopeptidase preferentially releasing N-terminal alanine from artificial substrates was purified and characterized from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. suyo). The enzyme had a molecular mass of 200 kDa consisting of two subunits of 95 kDa. It was a metalloprotease the pH optimum of which was 8 to 9. It cleaved Ala-, Gly-, Met-, Ser-, Leu-, Lys-, and Arg artificial substrates. An internal amino acid sequence was similar to those of aminopeptidase N (clan MA, family M1) of microorganisms, and was very similar to that of a putative aminopeptidase N of Arabidopsis thaliana. From these results, the highly active aminopeptidase in cucumber leaves was identified to be a plant aminopepitdase N.

Alanine↗

Leucine aminopeptidase (bovine lens). The relative binding of cobalt and zinc to leucine aminopeptidase and the effect of cobalt substitution on specific activity.

Prolonged incubation of zinc-zinc leucine aminopeptidase (bovine lens) (EC 3.4.1.1) with 0.05 M CoCl2 and M KCl in 0.2 M N-ethylmorpholine-HCl at pH 7.5 and 37 degrees yields an active enzyme in which 2 g atoms of Co2+ per 54,000 dalton subunit have replaced the Zn2+. Incubation of cobalt-cobalt leucine aminopeptidase with various AnCl2 concentrations or zinc-zinc leucine aminopeptidase with various CoCl2 concentrations in M KCl and 0.2 M N-ethylmorpholine-HCl at pH 7.5 and 37 degrees demonstrates that Co2+ and Zn2+ compete reversibly for two independent binding sites per subunit for which the ratio of the association constants for Zn2+ and Co2+ (1KZn:1KCo = 1KZn/Co; 2KZn:2KCo = 2KZn/Co) are 115 and 15.9 for sites 1 and 2, respectively. The specific activities of the various species of enzyme with 2 mM L-leucine p-nitroanilide as substrate in 0.2 M N-ethylmorpholine-HCl and 0.01 M NaHCO3 at pH 7.5 are estimated to be (in micromoles per min per mg) 0.043 for the zinc-zinc. 0.039 for the zinc-cobalt, 0.541 for the cobalt-zinc, and 0.536 for the cobalt-cobalt forms, which implies that activity is affected only when cobalt is substituted at site 1, the "activation site." The site, at which cobalt substitution has no effect on activity, is designated the "structural site." The value of Km for cobalt-cobalt leucine aminopeptidase with L-leucine p-nitroanilide as substrate in 0.2 M N-ethylmorpholine-HCl at pH 7.5 containing 0.01 M NaHCO3 at 30 degrees is 0.52 mM while Vmax is 0.90 mumol per min per mg. In the additional presence of 1 M KCl, Km is 0.19 mM while Vmax is 0.68 mumol per min per mg.

Animals↗