Renal dipeptidase is one of the membrane proteins released by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C.

Abstract

Renal dipeptidase (dehydropeptidase-I, EC 3.4.13.11) was released from pig kidney membrane preparations by treatment with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C from Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus thuringiensis and a phospholipase C preparation from Bacillus cereus to a similar extent as alkaline phosphatase. Endopeptidase-24.11 and aminopeptidase N were not released by this treatment. After treatment of the membrane fraction with the S. aureus phospholipase C the dipeptidase was converted from an amphipathic to a hydrophilic form, as deduced from phase-separation experiments in Triton X-114. It is concluded that renal dipeptidase is anchored to the microvillar membrane by covalently attached phosphatidylinositol.