title: Characterization of endopeptidase 3.4.24.11 ("enkephalinase") activity in human plasma and cerebrospinal fluid.
abstract: The presence of the neutral metallo-endopeptidase 3.4.24.11 ("enkephalinase") activity was investigated by fluorimetric assay in human body fluids. Although the enzyme was previously known to occur exclusively in membrane bound form in the human or animal central nervous system, its activity was detected in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma and amniotic fluid. Although the endopeptidase 3.4.24.11 activity found in human body fluids has properties closely related to the membrane bound enzyme such as affinity constant for the inhibitors, optimal pH and Km for the substrate, the Vmax values were in CSF, plasma and amniotic fluid, respectively, 2 x 10(3), 10(2), 10 lower than mouse brain homogenate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Spillantini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sicuteri
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salmon
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Malfroy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000201:enzymology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D015260:Neprilysin