[Enkephalinase (EC. 3.4.24.11) -- characteristics, distribution and role in the human].

Enkephalinase, the enzyme originally purified from kidney, is largely represented in brain and other tissues, namely in the airways, blood cells, kidney and the gastrointestinal tract. The highest enkephalinase activity was observed in duodenum and jejunum. Beside the participation in hydrolysis of proteins, enkephalinase degrades many biologically active peptides in the tissues and on that way can regulate some secretory or motoric functions.