N-Acyl-L-aromatic amino acid deacylase in animal tissues

An enzyme deacylating preferentially N-acyl-L-aromatic amino acids was partially purified from rat kidney. The purification procedure included DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, gel-filtration on a Sephadex G-200 column and further DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The enzyme was thus separated from aminoacylase (N-acylamino-acid amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.14) (acylase I). Although the enzyme preparation contained other acylases, the experimental data (effect of p-chloromercuric benzoate, heat stability and inhibition between substrates) suggest that the enzyme acts preferentially on N-acyl derivatives of L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine and L-histidine. This enzyme appears to be present in many animal tissues.