(L-Leucyl-peptide hydrolase)
Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) is a proteolytic enzyme which
hydrolyzes the peptide bond adjacent to a free amino group. It
is called leucine aminopeptidase because it rapidly catalyzes
the hydrolysis of leucine containing peptides. However, it
also catalyzes the hydrolytic release of other amino acids
located at the N-terminal end of various peptides and
proteins. The enzyme from porcine kidney has been extensively
studied. It has a molecular weight of 255,000 and it consists
of four subunits each having one atom of zinc. (Himmelhock,
S.R., Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 134, 597, 1969).
Determination of microsomal leucine amino peptidase activity
in serum is of clinical significance, since serum LAP levels
are elevated in obstructive jaundice, liver cirrhosis, liver
carcinoma and also during the later part of pregnancy (Methods
of Enzymatic Analysis, Bergmeyer, H.U. ed., Vol. I, 26, 1975,
Academic Press, New York). Leucine amino-peptidase is also
extensively used in determination of the amino acid sequence
of proteins and peptides.
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