Description
Aminopeptidase N is located in the small-intestinal and renal microvillar membrane, and also in other plasma membranes. In the small intestine aminopeptidase N plays a role in the final digestion of peptides generated from hydrolysis of proteins by gastric and pancreatic proteases. Its function in proximal tubular epithelial cells and other cell types is less clear. The large extracellular carboxyterminal domain contains a pentapeptide consensus sequence characteristic of members of the zinc-binding metalloproteinase superfamily. Sequence comparisons with known enzymes of this class showed that CD13 and aminopeptidase N are identical. The latter enzyme was thought to be involved in the metabolism of regulatory peptides by diverse cell types, including small intestinal and renal tubular epithelial cells, macrophages, granulocytes, and synaptic membranes from the CNS. This membrane-bound zinc metalloprotease is known to serve as a receptor for the HCoV-229E alphacoronavirus as well as other non-human coronaviruses. This gene has also been shown to promote angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis and defects in this gene are associated with various types of leukemia and lymphoma.
Bio-activity
Measured by its ability to cleave the fluorogenic peptide substrate, Ala-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (Ala-AMC). The specific activity is >1,000 pmol/min/μg, as measured under the described conditions.
Storage
Use a manual defrost freezer and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
6 months from date of receipt, -20 to -70 centigrade as supplied.
3 months, -20 to -70 centigrade under sterile conditions after opening.
