Understanding Aminases: Types, Functions, and Disease Associations

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and they can be broken down into smaller units called peptides. Aminases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of peptide bonds in amino acids or peptides to produce smaller peptides or individual amino acids.

There are several types of aminases, including:

1. Peptidyl-amino acid hydrolase (PAAH): This enzyme hydrolyzes peptide bonds in the N-terminal side of amino acids, producing free amino acids and a shorter peptide chain.
2. Aminoacyl-peptide hydrolase (AAPH): This enzyme hydrolyzes peptide bonds in the C-terminal side of amino acids, producing free amino acids and a shorter peptide chain.
3. Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP): This enzyme hydrolyzes dipeptides, producing two individual amino acids.
4. Tripeptidyl peptidase (TPP): This enzyme hydrolyzes tripeptides, producing three individual amino acids.

Aminases are found in various organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and animals. They play important roles in various biological processes, such as protein degradation, hormone regulation, and immune response. Dysregulation of aminase activity has been implicated in various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic disorders.