Peptidyl-dipeptidase A

Peptidyl-dipeptidase A, enzyme code EC 3.4.15.1, clips C-terminal dipeptides from polypeptide chains, provided no proline flanks the cut site. Physiologists know it as angiotensin I-converting enzyme, a central regulator of blood pressure. In functional-food research, compounds that inhibit this enzyme are prized for their antihypertensive potential, since dietary inhibitors could help manage hypertension. Fermented milks and protein hydrolysates naturally contain such inhibitory peptides. Scientists work to identify potent sequences, confirm they survive processing and digestion, and validate real health effects. The enzyme thus bridges cardiovascular medicine and the design of foods with blood-pressure benefits.