Aminopeptidases are
enzymes that
catalyze the cleavage of
amino acids from the amino terminus (N-terminus) of
proteins or
peptides. They are widely distributed throughout the animal and plant kingdoms and are found in many subcellular
organelles, in
cytosol, and as
membrane components. Aminopeptidases are used in essential cellular functions. Many, but not all, of these peptidases are zinc
metalloenzymes.