protein_function: Broad specificity aminopeptidase. Plays a role in thefinal digestion of peptides generated from hydrolysis of proteinsby gastric and pancreatic proteases. May play a critical role inthe pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone disease. May be involvedin the metabolism of regulatory peptides of diverse cell types,responsible for the processing of peptide hormones, such asangiotensin III and IV, neuropeptides, and chemokines. Found tocleave antigen peptides bound to major histocompatibility complexclass II molecules of presenting cells and to degradeneurotransmitters at synaptic junctions. Is also implicated as aregulator of IL-8 bioavailability in the endometrium, andtherefore may contribute to the regulation of angiogenesis. Isused as a marker for acute myeloid leukemia and plays a role intumor invasion. In case of human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E)infection, serves as receptor for HCoV-229E spike glycoprotein.Mediates as well human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection..
Alanine aminopeptidase, also known as ANPEP or CD13. is an enzyme that is used as a biomarker to detect damage to the kidneys, and that may be used to help diagnose certain kidney disorders. It is mapped to 15q26.1. 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, and it is also 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. Petrovic et al showed that CD13 was required for endothelial cell invasion in response to bradykinin. Inhibition of CD13 abrogated internalization of bradykinin receptor B2 and reduced endothelial cell motility.