title: Betulinic acid inhibits aminopeptidase N activity.
abstract: The triterpene betulinic acid inhibits the activity of aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2) in a dose-dependent manner. An IC50 of 7.3 +/- 1.4 microM was determined for betulinic acid. This inhibitory activity is higher than that of bestatin' (IC50 = 16.9 +/- 4.1 microM), a well known inhibitor of this enzyme. The finding supports the idea that betulinic acid acts as anti-melanoma agent via inhibition of aminopeptidase N activity.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Melzig
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bormann
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D018826:CD13 Antigens / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000094062:Betulinic Acid
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D014315:Triterpenes; D018826:CD13 Antigens; D000094062:Betulinic Acid