Exopeptidase

Exopeptidases are enzymes from the group of peptidases. Peptidases cleave proteins by hydrolysis of the peptide bonds. In contrast to the endopeptidases cleave the exopeptidases only terminal peptide bond of the amino acid sequence. Products formed free amino acids and di- and tripeptides.

Classification

The exopeptidases can be subdivided into aminopeptidases, carboxypeptidases, and di - and Tripeptidasen. Aminopeptidases cleave the polypeptide chain at the N -terminus, the dipeptidyl peptidases can thereby release a dipeptide, a tripeptide, tripeptidyl peptidases. At the C -terminus acting exopeptidases individual amino acids set free by the action of carboxypeptidases or dipeptides catalyzed by the peptidyl - dipeptidases reactions.

Moreover, there are exopeptidases which cleave dipeptides ( dipeptidases ) or terminal substituted, cyclized or linked via isopeptide bonds can remove amino acids (omega- peptidases ).