Dipeptidase

Dipeptidases include enzymes from the group of exopeptidases which release of long-chain peptides, the two terminal amino acids by hydrolysis as a dipeptide. Dipeptidases thus form a sub-group of peptidases. Representatives of dipeptidases are eg the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 ( DPP4 synonymous, CD26 ), angiotensin converting enzyme ( ACE synonymous, CD143 ) or VanX.

Properties

Dipeptidases occur in animals, especially in the digestive tract, where they catalyze the final reaction steps of protein degradation during digestion. Most of them are located in the glycocalyx of the brush, which is formed by finger-like protrusions of the intestinal epithelial cells. VanX is a resistance gene in bacteria of Enterococcus sp .. The encoded by VanX dipeptidase VanX is part of the antibiotic resistance to vancomycin. The dipeptidyl peptidase- 4 cleaves dipeptides from the N- terminus, while the ACE from the C- terminus hydrolyzed.

The catalyzed reaction of DPP4: