Dipeptidases are
enzymes secreted by
enterocyte
Enterocytes, or intestinal absorptive cells, are simple columnar epithelial cells which line the inner surface of the small and large intestines. A glycocalyx surface coat contains digestive enzymes. Microvilli on the apical surface increase its ...
s into the
small intestine
The small intestine or small bowel is an organ in the gastrointestinal tract where most of the absorption of nutrients from food takes place. It lies between the stomach and large intestine, and receives bile and pancreatic juice through the p ...
. Dipeptidases hydrolyze bound pairs of
amino acids, called
dipeptide A dipeptide is an organic compound derived from two amino acids. The constituent amino acids can be the same or different. When different, two isomers of the dipeptide are possible, depending on the sequence. Several dipeptides are physiologicall ...
s.
Dipeptidases are secreted onto the
brush border of the villi in the small intestine, where they cleave dipeptides into their two component amino acids prior to absorption. They are also found within the enterocytes themselves, performing cytosolic digestion of absorbed dipeptides.
Dipeptidases are
exopeptidases, classified under
EC number 3.4.13.
See also
*
Membrane dipeptidase
References
External links
*
Enzymes
EC 3.4.13
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