AMINOPEPTIDASE N Meaning and
Definition
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Aminopeptidase N is an enzyme that belongs to the class of exopeptidases, specifically aminopeptidases, which are responsible for catalyzing the hydrolysis of amino acid residues from the N-terminus of peptides or proteins. Also known as APN or CD13 (cluster of differentiation 13), it is widely distributed in various tissues and found on the surface of cells in different organisms.
Aminopeptidase N plays a crucial role in the digestion of proteins in the small intestine, where it is responsible for breaking down peptide bonds by removing amino acids from the amino terminal end of peptides. This process facilitates the absorption of these smaller peptides and amino acids into the bloodstream, aiding in the overall digestion and utilization of dietary proteins.
Apart from its digestive function, aminopeptidase N is also involved in other physiological processes. It is known to regulate blood pressure by inactivating certain peptides called vasoactive hormones, which can cause constriction or dilation of blood vessels. Additionally, aminopeptidase N participates in immune responses, including the processing of antigens for the presentation to immune cells.
Due to its widespread expression and involvement in various biological processes, aminopeptidase N has been studied extensively in both health and disease contexts. It is considered a potential target for therapeutic interventions in diseases such as cancer, viral infections, and inflammatory disorders.
Common Misspellings for AMINOPEPTIDASE N
- zminopeptidase n
- sminopeptidase n
- wminopeptidase n
- qminopeptidase n
- aninopeptidase n
- akinopeptidase n
- ajinopeptidase n
- amunopeptidase n
- amjnopeptidase n
- amknopeptidase n
- amonopeptidase n
- am9nopeptidase n
- am8nopeptidase n
- amibopeptidase n
- amimopeptidase n
- amijopeptidase n
- amihopeptidase n
- aminipeptidase n
- aminkpeptidase n
- aminlpeptidase n
Etymology of AMINOPEPTIDASE N
The word "aminopeptidase" is derived from the combination of three components: "amino", "peptid", and "ase".
1. "Amino" refers to the presence of an amino group (-NH2) within the molecule. It comes from the Greek word άμμων (ammon), which means "body fluid" or "ammonium salt". In chemistry, the term "amino" refers to a compound that contains the amino group.
2. "Peptid" comes from the Greek word πέπτειν (peptein), which means "to digest". It refers to a peptide, which is a compound made up of two or more amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.
3. The suffix "-ase" denotes an enzyme or a catalyst.
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