Leucine aminopeptidase in extracts of swine muscle

1. Leucine aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.1.1) has been demonstrated in swine muscle at a level of activity one-fifth that of the swine kidney. 2. The enzyme has been purified 110-fold by precipitation with ammonium sulphate, heat treatment and chromatography on Sephadex G-100. 3. The enzyme is heat-stable, but is rapidly inactivated below pH7. It requires Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) for activity. The Michaelis constant for leucine amide with Mg(2+)-activated enzyme is 5.0x10(-3)m. 4. Muscle leucine aminopeptidase is very similar to the kidney enzyme.