Cathepsin H: an endoaminopeptidase from rat liver lysosomes

1. Cathepsin H is an endoaminopeptidase belonging to the group of thiol enzymes. It was purified from rat liver lysosomes by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75, chromatography on CM-Sephadex C-50, on DEAE-Cellulose DE-52 and subsequently on an organomercurial absorbent. 2. The molecular weight of cathepsin H was found to be 28,000 and the isoelectric point was estimated to be at pH 7.1 by analytical isoelectric focusing. 3. Cathepsin H has to be designated as endoaminopeptidase, because it catalyzes the hydrolysis of proteins, N-terminal substituted proteins and amino acid derivatives, respectively, as well as of peptides of various chain length and N-terminal free amino acid derivatives. Cathepsin H shows amidase and esterase activity, but it does not show carboxypeptidase activity. The finding of the amino- and endopeptidase nature of cathepsin H has been revealed mainly by the results obtained with inhibitors and by the rather high temperature stability of the enzyme. The chlormethyl ketone of leucine proves to be the strongest inhibitor of the aminopeptidase as well as of the endopeptidase activity, whereas leupeptin endopeptidase activity and endopeptidase substrates inhibit competitively the aminopeptidase activity. 5. Cathepsin H shows highest activity at pH 6.0 in the presence of 1--5 mM GSH and EDTA. 6. The enzyme is stable for several months at slightly acid pH values in a deep frozen state.