N-acetylated α-linked acidic dipeptidase-like protein (NAALADase L), encoded by the NAALADL1 gene, is a close homolog of glutamate carboxypeptidase II, a metallopeptidase that has been intensively studied as a target for imaging and therapy of solid malignancies and neuropathologies. However, neither the physiological functions nor structural features of NAALADase L are known at present. Here, we report a thorough characterization of the protein product of the human NAALADL1 gene, including heterologous overexpression and purification, structural and biochemical characterization, and analysis of its expression profile. By solving the NAALADase L x-ray structure, we provide the first experimental evidence that it is a zinc-dependent metallopeptidase with a catalytic mechanism similar to that of glutamate carboxypeptidase II yet distinct substrate specificity. A proteome-based assay revealed that the NAALADL1 gene product possesses previously unrecognized aminopeptidase activity but no carboxy- or endopeptidase activity. These findings were corroborated by site-directed mutagenesis and identification of bestatin as a potent inhibitor of the enzyme. Analysis of NAALADL1 gene expression at both the mRNA and protein levels revealed the small intestine as the major site of protein expression and points toward extensive alternative splicing of the NAALADL1 gene transcript. Taken together, our data imply that the NAALADL1 gene product's primary physiological function is associated with the final stages of protein/peptide digestion and absorption in the human digestive system. Based on these results, we suggest a new name for this enzyme: human ileal aminopeptidase (HILAP).

From the Gilead Sciences and IOCB Research Centre Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Flemingovo n 2 Prague 6 Czech Republic

From the Gilead Sciences and IOCB Research Centre Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Flemingovo n 2 Prague 6 Czech Republic Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry Faculty of Natural Science Charles University Albertov 6 Prague 2 Czech Republic

From the Gilead Sciences and IOCB Research Centre Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Flemingovo n 2 Prague 6 Czech Republic the Departments of Biochemistry and

the Center for Cancer Research Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory NCI National Institutes of Health Frederick Maryland 21702 1201

the Institute of Biotechnology Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Vídeňská 1083 Prague 4 Czech Republic and

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