Department of Biological Chemistry The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 USA
Abstract:
A protease which generates a soluble hemepeptide from bovine liver microsomal cytochrome has been isolated from the membrane fraction of rabbit reticulocytes. Inhibition by pepstatin and an acidic pH optimum indicate that the protease belongs to the acid protease class. Little cytochrome -processing activity is observed in rabbit erythrocytes. We suggest that the protease may be involved in the processing which generates the proteins of the methemoglobin reduction system from their membrane-bound precursors during the maturation of the erythroid cell.