title: Enkephalin-degrading activity in arthropode hemolymphe.
abstract: Enkephalin and related peptides are rapidly inactivated in Astacus fluviatilis and Limulus polyphemus hemolymphe. At least three different enzymes, an aminopeptidase, a carboxypeptidase and a peptidyl-dipeptidase, acting concomitantly on the peptide substrates have been identified. The properties of these enzymes were characterized and they were compared to similar enzymes of the vertebrate blood. The opioid peptides appear to be extremely short lived in invertebrate hemolymphe, which presumably is a metabolic barrier to the action of active peptides stronger than vertebrate blood.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Coletti-Previero
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mattras
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zwilling
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Previero
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000626:Aminopeptidases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D003400:Astacoidea / Q000378:metabolism*; D004399:Dynorphins / Q000378:metabolism; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000201:enzymology*; D006737:Horseshoe Crabs / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis; D011691:Puromycin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D004745:Enkephalins; D011691:Puromycin; D004399:Dynorphins; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D000626:Aminopeptidases