Purification and Characterization of an Unusual Aminopeptidase From Pea Seeds

Abstract

An aminopeptidase with specificity for N-terminal glutamic and aspartic acid residues has been purified to apparent homogeneity from pea seeds (Pisum sativum cv. Greenfeast). It also catalyses the hydrolysis of the glutaryl-phenylalanine bond of the synthetic chymotrypsin substrate glutaryl- L-phenylalanine p-nitroanilide. The native enzyme, which has a molecular weight of approximately 500 000, gives a single band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis but two major bands when subjected to electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate after reduction. Its behaviour with various inhibitors suggests that a sulfhydryl group is important for its activity.