aminopeptidase

views updated May 11 2018

aminopeptidase An enzyme secreted in the pancreatic juice which removes amino acids sequentially from the free amino terminal of a peptide or protein (i.e. the end that has a free amino group exposed), until the final product is a dipeptide. Since it works at the end of the peptide chain, it is an exopeptidase.

A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition DAVID A. BENDER

aminopeptidase

views updated Jun 11 2018

aminopeptidase An enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of amino acids in a polypeptide chain by acting on the peptide bond adjacent to the essential free amino group.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

aminopeptidase

views updated May 29 2018

aminopeptidase An enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of amino acids in a polypeptide chain by acting on the peptide bond adjacent to the essential free amino group.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

aminopeptidase

views updated May 21 2018

aminopeptidase (ă-mee-noh-pep-ti-dayz) n. any one of several enzymes in the intestine that cause the breakdown of a peptide, removing an amino acid.

A Dictionary of Nursing

aminopeptidase

views updated May 23 2018

aminopeptidase Any enzyme that cleaves amino acids from the N-terminus of peptides or polypeptides. For example, membrane-bound aminopeptidases in the small intestine break down peptides and dipeptides into amino acids.

A Dictionary of Biology