Carboxypeptidase

Carboxypeptidase A, from bovine pancreas

A carboxypeptidase (EC number 3.4.16 - 3.4.18) is a protease enzyme that hydrolyzes (cleaves) a peptide bond at the carboxy-terminal (C-terminal) end of a protein or peptide. This is in contrast to an aminopeptidases, which cleave peptide bonds at the N-terminus of proteins. Humans, animals, bacteria and plants contain several types of carboxypeptidases that have diverse functions ranging from catabolism to protein maturation. At least two mechanisms have been discussed.[1]

  1. ^ Bertini, Ivano; Gray, Harry B.; Stiefel, Edward I.; Valentine, Joan S. (2006). Biological Inorganic Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity. Univ Science Book. pp. 180–182. ISBN 978-1891389436.