[Comparative characteristics of soluble and membrane brain aminopeptidases. II. Substrate specificity]

Comparative studies on substrate specificity of the soluble and membrane-bound aminopeptidases from bovine brain were carried out. A series of p-nitroanilides and beta-naphthylamides of amino acids, di- and tripeptides with the aminoterminal phenylalanine residue, as well as a biologically active pentapeptide--[Leu5]enkephalin--were used as substrates. The soluble and membrane-bound aminopeptidases manifested identical specificity towards the employed substrates. The aminopeptidases were equally effective towards the p-nitroanilides of amino acids and peptides, whereas beta-naphthylamides were more susceptible to hydrolysis by both aminopeptidases than p-nitroanilides and peptides. Taking into account physico-chemical characteristics of these enzymes, it was concluded that the soluble and membrane-bound aminopeptidases are quite similar or perhaps identical. Their role in the regulation of nervous system functioning was discussed. A comparison of specificities for brain aminopeptidases and leucine aminopeptidase from bovine lens led to the conclusion that they belong to different groups. This feature allows planning the synthesis of selective inhibitors.