Immobilized carboxypeptidase N : a potent bioreactor and specific adsorbent for peptides

Carboxypeptidase N-Sepharose was prepared by covalent immobilization of purified human plasma carboxypeptidase N. More than 98% of the carboxypeptidase N was immobilized; 42% of the applied activity can be detected on the support. The column has excellent capabilities to quantitatively remove carboxy-terminal basic amino acids from peptides, as is demonstrated using the synthetic peptide substrate hippuryl-L-arginine and the nonapeptide bradykinin, and remains stable for several months. In contrast with apocarboxypeptidase B-Sepharose, apocarboxypeptidase N-Sepharose poorly binds its substrates.