Degradation of low-molecular-weight opioid peptides by vascular plasma membrane aminopeptidase M

Since both aminopeptidases and angiotensin I-converting enzyme are reported to degrade circulating enkephalins, we have examined the degradation of low-molecular-weight opioid peptides by a vascular plasma membrane-enriched fraction previously shown to contain both angiotensin I-converting enzyme (EC 3.4.15.1) and aminopeptidase M (EC 3.4.11.2). Except for an enkephalin analog resistant to amino-terminal hydrolysis, [D-Ala2]enkephalin, the purified vascular plasma membrane preferentially degraded low-molecular-weight opioids by hydrolysis of the N-terminal Tyr-1--Gly-2 bond. Enkephalin degradation was optimal at pH 7.0 and was inhibited by the aminopeptidase inhibitors amastatin (I50 = 0.08 microM), bestatin (9.0 microM) and puromycin (80 microM). Maximal rates of hydrolysis, calculated per mg plasma membrane protein, were highest for the shorter peptides (18.3, 15.6 and 16.6 nmol/min per mg for Met5-enkephalin, Leu5-enkephalin and Leu5-enkephalin-Arg6, respectively) and decreased with increasing peptide length (0.7 nmol/min per mg for dynorphin (1-13)). No significant hydrolysis of beta- and gamma-endorphin was detected. Km values decreased significantly with increasing peptide length (Km = 72.9 +/- 2.7, 43.6 +/- 4.7 and 21.4 +/- 0.9 microM for Met5-enkephalin, Leu5-enkephalin-Arg6 and Met5-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7, respectively). However, no further decreases were seen with even larger sequences, i.e., dynorphin(1-13). Other peptides hydrolyzed by the plasma membrane aminopeptidase (angiotensin III, kallidin and hepta(5-11)-substance P) inhibited enkephalin degradation in a competitive manner. Thus, localization, specificity and kinetic data are consistent with identification of aminopeptidase M as a vascular enzyme with the capacity to differentially metabolize low-molecular-weight opioid peptides within the microenvironment of vascular cell surface receptors. Such differential metabolism may play a role in modulating the vascular effects of peripheral opioids.     

Metabolism of opioid peptides by cerebral microvascular aminopeptidase M

Aminopeptidase M (EC 3.4.11.2), which can degrade low molecular weight opioid peptides, has been reported in both peripheral vasculature and in the CNS. Thus, we have studied the metabolism of opioid peptides by membrane-bound aminopeptidase M derived from cerebral microvessels of hog and rabbit. Both hog and rabbit microvessels were found to contain membrane-bound aminopeptidase M. At neutral pH, microvessels preferentially degraded low molecular weight opioid peptides by hydrolysis of the N-terminal Tyr1-Gly2 bond. Degradation was inhibited by amastatin (I50 = 0.2 microM) and bestatin (10 microM), but not by a number of other peptidase inhibitors including captopril and phosphoramidon. Rates of degradation were highest for the shorter peptides (Met5- and Leu5-enkephalin) whereas beta-endorphin was nearly completely resistant to N-terminal hydrolysis. Km values for the microvascular aminopeptidase also decreased significantly with increasing peptide length (Km = 91.3 +/- 4.9 and 28.9 +/- 3.5 microM for Met5-enkephalin and Met5-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7, respectively). Peptides known to be present within or in close proximity to cerebral vessels (e.g., neurotensin and substance P) competitively inhibited enkephalin degradation (Ki = 20.4 +/- 2.5 and 7.9 +/- 1.6 microM, respectively). These data suggest that cerebral microvascular aminopeptidase M may play a role in vivo in modulating peptide-mediated local cerebral blood flow, and in preventing circulating enkephalins from crossing the blood-brain barrier.     

Opioid peptides are substrates for the bifunctional enzyme LTA4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase

We determined if any naturally occurring peptides could act as substrates or inhibitors of the bifunctional, Zn²⁺ metalloenzyme LTA₄ hydrolase/aminopeptidase (E.C. 3.3.2.6). Several opioid peptides including met⁵-enkephalin, leu⁵-enkephalin, dynorphin_1–6, dynorphin_1–7, and dynorphin_1–8 competitively inhibited the hydrolysis of L-proline-p-nitroanilide by leukotriene A₄ hydrolase/ aminopeptidase, consistent with an interaction at its active site. The enzyme catalyzed the N-terminal hydrolysis of tyrosine from met⁵-enkephalin with K_m =450 ± 58 μM and V_max =4.9 ± 0.6 nmol-hr⁻¹-ug⁻¹ and from leu⁵-enkephalin with K_m =387 ± 90 μM and V_max =6.2 ± 2.5 nmol-hr⁻¹-ug⁻¹. Bestatin, captopril and carnosine inhibited the hydrolysis of the enkephalins. It is noteworthy that the bifunctional catalytic traits of this enzyme include generation of an hyperalgesic substance, LTB₄, and inactivation of analgesic opioid peptides.     

Reaction of Opioid Peptides with Neutral Endopeptidase (''Enkephalinase")

The kinetics of the reactions of nine opioid peptides with the neutral endopeptidase ("enkephalinase") activities of human kidney, rat kidney, and rat brain have been determined. These opioid peptides can be divided into two classes, those that are good inhibitors of Leu5-enkephalin hydrolysis (Ki less than 75 microM) and good substrates for the enzyme, and those that are poor inhibitors (Ki greater than 500 microM) and are not substrates for the enzyme. The former group includes Leu5-enkephalin, Met5-enkephalin, Met5-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7, beta-lipotropin, and gamma-endorphin, while the nonreactive opioid peptides include alpha-neo-endorphin, beta-neo-endorphin, dynorphin, and beta-endorphin. These results suggest that those peptides containing the Met5-enkephalin sequence are more reactive than those containing the Leu5-enkephalin sequence. The lack of specificity of this neutral endopeptidase indicates that it may function in the degradation of a variety of biologically active peptides.     

Effects of Opioid Peptides Containing the Sequence of Met5-Enkephalin or Leu5-Enkephalin on Nicotine-Induced Secretion from Bovine Adrenal Chromaffin Cells

Eighteen endogenous opioid peptides, all containing the sequence of either Met5- or Leu5-enkephalin, were tested for their ability to modify nicotine-induced secretion from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. ATP released from suspensions of freshly isolated cells was measured with the luciferin-luciferase bioluminescence method as an index of secretion. None of the peptides affected 5 microM nicotine-induced ATP release at 10 nM. Three peptides inhibited secretion at 5 microM: dynorphin1-13, dynorphin1-9, and rimorphin inhibited by 65%, 37%, and 29% respectively. Use of peptidase inhibitors (bestatin, thiorphan, bacitracin, or 1,10-phenanthroline) did not result in any of the other peptides showing potent actions on the nicotinic response, although bestatin and thiorphan did enhance the inhibitory actions of dynorphin1-13 and dynorphin1-9 by 20-30%. Nicotine-induced secretion of endogenous catecholamines from bovine chromaffin cells cultured for 3 days was also studied to assess any selective actions of the peptides on adrenaline or noradrenaline cell types. Dynorphin1-13 was 1,000-fold more potent than Leu5-enkephalin at inhibiting endogenous catecholamine secretion. Dynorphin1-13 was slightly more potent at inhibiting noradrenaline release than adrenaline release whereas Leu5-enkephalin showed the opposite selectivity. The structure-activity relationships of opioid peptide actions on the chromaffin cell nicotinic response are discussed in relation to the properties of the adrenal opioid binding sites.     

Purification and Characterization of a Neuropeptide-Degrading Aminopeptidase from Human Brain

The major aminopeptidase from human post-mortem brain (occipital cortex) was purified to homogeneity (as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) by anion-exchange chromatography (two steps) and gel filtration (two steps). The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated as 105,000 from gel filtration. Maximum activity was obtained in the presence of 0.5 mM Ca2+ and 1 mM 2-mercaptoethanol at pH 7.3. Enzyme activity was lost on freezing and thawing or on lyophilization. The enzyme was inhibited by metal-ion chelating agents, sulphydryl blocking agents, bestatin, and puromycin. A series of amino acyl-7-amido-4-methylcoumarins was hydrolysed by the enzyme, with the alanyl derivative being hydrolysed most rapidly (Km 170 microM). Specificity studies with a series of alanine dipeptides suggested that a hydrophobic second residue favoured hydrolysis. Several naturally occurring neuropeptides, including Leu5-enkephalin (Km 180 microM), cholecystokinin octapeptide, and Arg8-vasopressin, were hydrolysed by the aminopeptidase. In a series of opioid peptides, increasing chain length led to decreased susceptibility to hydrolysis. Sulphation of the Tyr1 residue of Leu5-enkephalin and the Tyr2 residue of cholecystokinin octapeptide made the peptides more resistant to hydrolysis.     

Inhibition of leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase by captopril

Captopril ((2S)-1-(3-mercapto-2-methyl-propionyl)-L-proline) inhibited the bifunctional, Zn(2+)-containing enzyme leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase reversibly and competitively with Ki = 6.0 microM for leukotriene B4 formation and Ki = 60 nM for L-lysine-p-nitroanilide hydrolysis at pH 8. Inhibition was independent of pH between pH 7 and 8, the optimum range for each catalytic activity. Half-maximal inhibition of leukotriene B4 formation by intact erythrocytes and neutrophils required 50 and 88 microM captopril, respectively. In neutrophils and platelets neither 5(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, nor leukotriene C4 formation were reduced, indicating selective inhibition of leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase, not 5-lipoxygenase, 12-lipoxygenase, or leukotriene C4 synthase. In whole blood, captopril inhibited leukotriene B4 formation with an accompanying redistribution of substrate toward formation of cysteinyl leukotrienes. The decrease in leukotriene B4 was more substantial than the corresponding increase in cysteinyl leukotrienes suggesting that nonenzymatic hydration predominates over transcellular metabolism of leukotriene A4 by platelets during selective inhibition of leukotriene A4 hydrolase. Enalapril dicarboxylic acid and Glu-Trp-Pro-Arg-ProGln-Ile-Pro-Pro which inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme: angiotensin I, bradykinin, and N-[3-(2-furyl)acryloyl]Phe-Gly-Gly which are substrates; and chloride ions which activate angiotensin-converting enzyme did not modulate leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase activity. The results indicate that: (i) the sulfhydryl group of captopril is an important determinant for inhibition of leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase, probably by binding to an active site Zn2+; (ii) aminopeptidase and leukotriene A4 hydrolase display differential susceptibility to inhibition; (iii) there is minimal functional similarity between angiotensin-converting enzyme (peptidyl dipeptidase) and leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase; (iv) captopril may be a useful prototype to identify more potent and selective leukotriene A4 hydrolase inhibitors.     

Human carboxypeptidase M. Purification and characterization of a membrane-bound carboxypeptidase that cleaves peptide hormones

A membrane-bound neutral carboxypeptidase B-like enzyme was solubilized from human placental microvilli with 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) and purified to homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography on arginine-Sepharose. It gave a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with an apparent Mr of 62,000 with or without reduction. The enzyme is a glycoprotein as shown by its high affinity for concanavalin A-Sepharose and reduction in mass to 47,600 daltons after chemical deglycosylation. It has a neutral pH optimum, is activated by CoCl2, and inhibited by o-phenanthroline, 2-mercaptomethyl-3-guanidinoethylthiopropanoic acid, or cadmium acetate, indicating it is a metallopeptidase. The enzyme cleaves arginine or lysine from the COOH terminus of synthetic peptides (e.g. Bz-Gly-Arg, Bz-Gly-Lys, Bz-Ala-Lys, dansyl-Ala-Arg, where Bz is benzoyl and dansyl is 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl) as well as from several biologically active substrates: dynorphin A(1-13), Met5-Arg6-enkephalin (Km = 46 microM, kcat = 934 min-1), bradykinin (Km = 16 microM, kcat = 147 min-1), Met5-Lys6-enkephalin (Km = 375 microM, kcat = 663 min-1), and Leu5-Arg6-enkephalin (Km = 63 microM, kcat = 106 min-1). Although the enzyme shares some properties with other carboxypeptidase B-like enzymes, it is structurally, catalytically, and immunologically distinct from pancreatic carboxypeptidase A or B, human plasma carboxypeptidase N, and carboxypeptidase H ("enkephalin convertase"). To denote that the enzyme is membrane-bound, and to distinguish it from other known carboxypeptidases, we propose the name "carboxypeptidase M." Because of its localization on the plasma membrane and optimal activity at neutral pH, carboxypeptidase M could inactivate or modulate the activity of peptide hormones either before or after their interaction with plasma membrane receptors.     

Leukotriene A4 hydrolase. Inhibition by bestatin and intrinsic aminopeptidase activity establish its functional resemblance to metallohydrolase enzymes.

Bestatin, an inhibitor of aminopeptidases, was also a potent inhibitor of leukotriene (LT) A4 hydrolase. On isolated enzyme its effects were immediate and reversible with a Ki = 201 +/- 95 mM. With erythrocytes it inhibited LTB4 formation greater than 90% within 10 min; with neutrophils it inhibited LTB4 formation by only 10% during the same period, increasing to 40% in 2 h. Bestatin inhibited LTA4 hydrolase selectively; neither 5-lipoxygenase nor 15-lipoxygenase activity in neutrophil lysates was affected. Purified LTA4 hydrolase exhibited an intrinsic aminopeptidase activity, hydrolyzing L-lysine-p-nitroanilide and L-leucine-beta-naphthylamide with apparent Km = 156 microM and 70 microM and Vmax = 50 and 215 nmol/min/mg, respectively. Both LTA4 and bestatin suppressed the intrinsic aminopeptidase activity of LTA4 hydrolase with apparent Ki values of 5.3 microM and 172 nM, respectively. Other metallohydrolase inhibitors tested did not reduce LTA4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase activity, with one exception; captopril, an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme, was as effective as bestatin. The results demonstrate a functional resemblance between LTA4 hydrolase and certain metallohydrolases, consistent with a molecular resemblance at their putative Zn2(+)-binding sites. The availability of a reversible, chemically stable inhibitor of LTA4 hydrolase may facilitate investigations on the role of LTB4 in inflammation, particularly the process termed transcellular biosynthesis.     

Albumins activate peptide hydrolysis by the bifunctional enzyme LTA4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase.

Albumins from several species activated the bifunctional, Zn2+ metalloenzyme amino-peptidase/leukotriene A4 hydrolase (EC 3.3.2.6). Bovine serum albumin, 1 mg/mL, increased hydrolysis of L-proline-p-nitroanilide and leucine-enkephalin by 12-fold and 7-fold, respectively. The apparent Km for L-proline-p-nitroanilide was inversely proportional to the albumin concentration from 0 to 1 mg/mL, declining from 9.4 to 0.7 mM without an appreciable change in apparent Vmax. These data imply a random activation process in which the enzyme-activator complex is catalytically dominant. Hill plots indicated a 1:1 stoichiometric relationship between albumin and enzyme. Secondary plots of slope versus the reciprocal of albumin concentration indicated that it binds to the enzyme with an affinity constant of 0.9 microM. The pH optimum of the nonactivated enzyme occurred at pH 8; the albumin-activated enzyme had an optimum near pH 7. Neither ultrafiltration nor dialysis of albumin altered its activating effect, but boiling abolished it. Albumin did not affect other cytosolic or microsomal leucine aminopeptidases, or gamma-glutamyltransferase. Albumin functions as a nonessential activator, since enzymatic activity was always detectable in its absence. Chloride ions, which activate other Zn2+ metalloenzymes, also activated leukotriene A4 hydrolase/aminopeptidase with an EC50 = 50 mM, increasing its initial velocity 2.2-fold in the absence of albumin. Zn2+ activated the enzyme, increasing its apparent Vmax but not its apparent Km, suggesting it replaced Zn2+ lost from the active site, especially at acidic pH. At concentrations greater than 30-50 microM, Zn2+ was inhibitory. Albumin mitigated the effect of chloride, but not the effect of Zn2+ or that of the competitive inhibitor, captopril.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Purification and Characterization of Two Soluble C1−-Activated Arginyl Aminopeptidases from Human Brain and Their Endopeptidase Action on Neuropeptides

Two closely related Cl(-)-activated arginyl aminopeptidases (I and II) were purified from a soluble extract of postmortem human cerebral cortex by anion-exchange chromatography and preparative gel electrophoresis. The electrophoretic mobility of II was approximately 80% that of I; the molecular mass of both enzymes was approximately 70 kilodaltons (kDa) (gel filtration). The aminopeptidase action of I and II on aminoacyl-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (AMC) substrates was restricted to the Arg and Lys derivatives. Both enzymes had significant endopeptidase activity, hydrolysing several biologically active peptides including neurotensin, bradykinin, angiotensin-I, substance P, luliberin, and somatostatin at internal bonds. Other peptides [Leu-enkephalin, proctolin, thyroliberin, adrenocorticotropin18-39 (ACTH18-39), ACTH11-24, and dynorphin (1-13)] were not appreciably hydrolysed. The amino- and endopeptidase activities had pH optima at 6.5 and 7, respectively, and were both inhibited by metal ion chelators and sulphydryl group blocking agents. The aminopeptidase activity was stimulated 20-fold by Cl- ions, whereas the endopeptidase activity was unaffected by the latter. Km values for neurotensin degradation were 20 microM (I) and 37 microM (II) and for Arg-AMC hydrolysis they were 167 microM (I) and 125 microM (II). The endopeptidase activity was not inhibited by the aminopeptidase inhibitors arphamenine or bestatin (IC50 = 9 nM and 0.1 microM, respectively, with Arg-AMC substrate).     

Effects of opioid peptides on immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor release from the rat hypothalamus in vitro

Effects of opioid peptides on immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor (I-CRF) release from the rat hypothalamus were examined using a rat hypothalamic perifusion system and a rat CRF RIA in vitro. beta-Endorphin (0.3 - 30 nM), dynorphin (0.3 - 30 nM) and FK 33-824 (1 - 10 microM) suppressed basal I-CRF release in a dose-dependent fashion. At 2.2 nM concentrations of these peptides, mean percent inhibition was 56% for beta-endorphin; less than 5% for alpha-endorphin; 44% for dynorphin; 23% for leucine-enkephalin; 6% for methionine-enkephalin; less than 5% for FK 33-824; and less than 5% for D-ala2, D-leu5-enkephalin. The inhibitory effects of beta-endorphin and enkephalins were completely blocked by naloxone, but those of dynorphin were only partially blocked. These results suggest that opioid peptides act through opioid receptors and inhibit I-CRF release from the hypothalamus under our conditions. Therefore, endogenious opioid peptides may have a physiological role in the CRF-releasing mechanism of the hypothalamus.     

Opioid peptide effects on insulin release and c-AMP in islets of Langerhans

The time course and specificity of the effect of opioid peptides on c-AMP production in the islets of Langerhans was examined. An enkephalin analogue, d-Ala2Me Phe4 Met(O)-ol enkephalin (DAMME, Sandoz) produced a significant stimulation of basal c-AMP levels, with a peak of stimulation at 5 minutes and a decline thereafter. These changes in intracellular c-AMP levels were of the same order of magnitude as those induced by other secretagogues, but did not coincide in time with the more rapid peak of enkephalin-induced insulin release. The rise in islet c-AMP and insulin secretion induced by DAMME and alpha-endorphin but not leu enkephalin was antagonised by naloxone. The effects of high and low concentrations of a variety of opioid peptides and naloxone on insulin release and islet c-AMP levels were determined, alpha-endorphin, dynorphin, leu enkephalin and met enkephalin all stimulated insulin secretion significantly, though not to the same extent. Higher concentrations of alpha-endorphin, dynorphin and met enkephalin inhibited insulin release relative to effects at low opiate concentrations. However, higher concentrations of leu enkephalin stimulated insulin release further. We conclude from these results that the mode of action of opioid peptides in stimulating insulin release is not via increased islet c-AMP exclusively. Furthermore, the results obtained with different classes of opioid suggest the presence of distinctive types of opiate receptor in islets of Langerhans.     

Properties of liver microsomal cholesterol 5,6-oxide hydrolase

Cholestane 3 beta,5 alpha, 6 beta-triol has been identified as the exclusive product formed on hydration of cholesterol 5,6 alpha- and 5,6 beta-oxide catalyzed by cholesterol oxide hydrolase in liver microsomes obtained from five mammalian species. Highest activities were present in microsomes from rats and humans. Both acid- and base-catalyzed hydrolysis of the two epoxides also produce this product, presumably due to preference for pseudo-axial opening of the oxirane ring to form product with a trans-AB ring junction. Although the beta-oxide is more reactive than the alpha-oxide upon acid-catalyzed hydration, the alpha-oxide is a 4.5-fold better substrate than the beta-oxide as indicated by values of Vmax/Km. The kinetic parameters Vmax and Km for the reaction catalyzed by rat liver microsomes are 1.68 +/- 0.15 X 10(-7) M min-1 and 10.6 +/- 1.5 microM for the alpha-oxide and 1.32 +/- 0.11 X 10(-7) M min-1 and 37.2 +/- 5.5 microM for the beta-oxide at 0.35 mg protein/ml, pH 7.4, 6.35% (v/v) CH3CN, and 37 degrees C. Several imino compounds are competitive inhibitors for the enzyme from rat liver. The most effective of these is 5,6 alpha-iminocholestanol (Ki = 0.085 microM) which was known to be a good inhibitor from previous studies. Inhibition by aziridines is consistent with the participation of acid catalysis in the mechanism of action of the enzyme. Cholesterol oxide hydrolase is a distinct enzyme from oxidosqualene cyclase as well as microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EC 3.3.2.3) and the recently reported mouse hepatic microsomal epoxide hydrolase that catalyzes the hydration of trans-stilbene oxide.     

Ecdysone 3-epimerase from the midgut of Manduca sexta (L.).

Ecdysone 3-epimerase was partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation from the 100,000 g supernate of Manduca sexta midguts. The enzyme converts ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone to their respective 3-epimers, requires NADH or NADPH and O2 for this reaction, and has the following kinetic parameters: for ecdysone, Km = 17.0 +/- 1.4 microM, Vmax = 110.6 +/- 14.6 pmol min-1 mg-1; for 20-hydroxyecdysone, Km = 47.3 +/- 7.5 microM, Vmax = 131.0 +/- 3.5 pmol min-1 mg-1: for NADPH, Km = 85.4 +/- 10.6 microM; for NADH, Km = 51.3 +/- 1.3 microM. The reaction is irreversible and can be inhibited by various ecdysteroids.     

Proteolytic Inactivation of Substance P and Neurokinin A in the Longitudinal Muscle Layer of Guinea Pig Small Intestine

Membrane vesicles, showing a 21 +/- 2-fold enrichment in the activity of 5'-nucleotidase and a 11 +/- 4-fold enrichment in the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme relative to homogenate, were prepared from the myenteric plexus-containing longitudinal muscle layer of guinea pig ileum. Incubation of the vesicles with substance P and neurokinin A led to degradation of the peptides, and metabolites were isolated by reverse-phase HPLC and identified by amino acid composition. Cleavages of substance P between Glu6-Phe7, Phe7-Phe8, and Gly9-Leu10 and of neurokinin A between Gly8-Leu9 were observed and could be inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by phosphoramidon, an inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase 24.11. Formation of these metabolites was not completely inhibited by this agent, indicating that a phosphoramidon-insensitive form of endopeptidase 24.11 was present in the gut. Substance P was resistant to degradation by aminopeptidases, but neurokinin A was a substrate for bestatin-sensitive aminopeptidase(s), so that the neurokinin A (3-10) fragment represented the predominant metabolite in the chromatograms. The rate of formation of all the metabolites was not inhibited by enalapril and not enhanced by an increased Cl- concentration, indicating that angiotensin-converting enzyme was unimportant in the degradation process. Degradation of neurokinin A by the vesicles (Km 30 microM; Vmax 7.2 +/- 0.8 nmol min-1 mg of protein-1) was more rapid than degradation of substance P (Km 25 microM; Vmax 4.4 +/- 0.4 nmol min-1 mg of protein-1).     

Synthesis of serine-AMC-carbamate: a fluorogenic tryptophanase substrate.

A new fluorogenic substrate for the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme tryptophanase is described. L-Serine, which is linked to 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin through an O-carbamoyl tether, serves as a substrate for the enzyme. The released moiety, 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC), can be detected by either absorbance (355 nm) or fluorescence (excitation 365 nm/emission 440 nm). Kinetic constants were measured using each of these techniques: Km = 85 +/- 20 microM, Vmax = 2.9 +/- 0.4 mumol/min/mg (fluorescence) and Km = 129 +/- 21 microM, Vmax = 3.1 +/- 0.3 mumol/min/mg (absorbance). The Vmax for serine-AMC-carbamate is approximately 1.9 times faster than that of the natural substrate, tryptophan. Using fluorescence detection, solutions containing 10(-3) units of activity could be routinely assayed.     

Human placental dipeptidyl aminopeptidase III: hydrolysis of enkephalins and its stimulation by cobaltous ion

The degradation of enkephalin and related peptides by highly purified dipeptidyl aminopeptidase III (EC 3.4.14.4) was studied. The enzyme releases the N-terminal dipeptide units from substrates greater in length than the tetrapeptide. The enzyme exhibits an optimum of pH 7.5, Km of 81 microM and Vmax of 0.043 mumole/min for Leu-enkephalin. Its activity was markedly stimulated by Co2+, with both the Km and Vmax being increased. Among the enkephalin-related peptides examined, des-Tyr1-Leu-enkephalin was the most rapidly hydrolyzed with Co2+, but only slight stimulation was observed with Co2+.     

Degradation of the 34 amino acid gastrin by rat tissue homogenates

Extracts of rat kidney contain an enzyme (gastrinase) that is highly specific for degradation of the 34 amino acid gastrin (G34). The Michaelis constant (Km) for kidney is 0.36 +/- 0.04 microM and the Vmax is 9.5 +/- 2.4 nmol X g-1 X min-1. Extracts of liver and brain also have gastrin degrading activity but the enzymes responsible appear to be different from the kidney gastrinase. Km for the liver enzyme is 0.08 +/- 0.02 microM but its Vmax (0.10 +/- 0.02 nmol X g-1 X min-1) is only 1% of the kidney gastrinase; Km for the brain enzyme is 0.10 +/- 0.03 microM but its Vmax (0.023 +/- 0.007 nmol X g-1 X min-1) is even lower than for the liver enzyme. The liver and brain enzymes appear to be less specific than the kidney enzyme with respect to competitive inhibition by insulin and glucagon. Cholecystokinin octapeptide is less inhibitory than the other peptides even though it shares a common C-terminal pentapeptide with G34. These findings are consistent with in vivo studies which have demonstrated that the dog kidney is an important site for extraction and degradation of endogenous dog gastrin but there is little or no hepatic removal of G34.