Purification and characterization of an aminopeptidase from bovine leukocytes

An aminopeptidase was purified about 4,000-fold from the clarified homogenate of bovine leukocytes by a series of column chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose, hydroxyapatite, Sephadex G-150, and DEAE-Toyopearl. The purified enzyme had a specific activity of 3.8 mumol X min-1 X mg-1 with arginine beta-naphthylamide (Arg-2-NNap) as substrate, and a minute amount of contaminating protein was found to be present by gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 94,000 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-150. The enzyme had a broad substrate specificity and a pH optimum between 6.5 and 7.0 for the hydrolysis of alpha-aminoacyl beta-naphthylamides. It hydrolyzed beta-naphthylamides of basic, aliphatic, and aromatic amino acids, and also catalyzed the liberation of amino-terminal phenylalanine from phenylalanyl peptides. The enzyme was inhibited by bestatin, puromycin, 1,10-phenanthroline, sulfhydryl reagents, and a variety of heavy metal ions. Only the cobaltous ion stimulated the enzyme and the values of both Km and Vmax for Arg-2-NNap increased. In gross properties the present enzyme resembles porcine liver aminopeptidase reported previously (Kawata, S., et al. (1982) J. Biochem. 92, 1093-1101) very closely.