This gene encodes a member of the M1 zinc aminopeptidase family. The encoded protein is a zinc-dependent metallopeptidase that catalyzes the removal of an amino acid from the amino terminus of a protein or peptide. This protein may play a role in the generation of angiotensin IV. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2010].
Function: Aminopeptidases catalyze the hydrolysis of amino acid residues from the N-terminus of peptide or protein substrates. Able to cleave angiotensin III to generate angiotensin IV, a bioactive peptide of the renin-angiotensin pathway. Not able to cleave angiotensin I and angiotensin II. May play a role in the proteolytic processing of bioactive peptides in tissues such as testis and heart.