This domain is structurally very similar [1] to the creatinase N-terminal domain (Pfam:PF01321). However, little or no sequence similarity exists between the two families.
This family contains metallopeptidases. It also contains non-peptidase homologues such as the N terminal domain of Spt16 which is a histone H3-H4 binding module [3].
Prolidase is a ubiquitously distributed dipeptidase and the only known metalloenzyme in humans capable of cleaving the peptide bond preceding the amino acids proline (Pro) or hydroxyproline (Hyp) in Xaa-Pro (Xaa: any hydrophobic amino acid) dipeptides. Prolidase plays an important role in the degradation of dietary and endogenous proteins to recycle Pro for protein synthesis. Moreover, it's also involved in hydrolysis of Pro- and hydroxyproline-containing dipeptides in the last step of collagen catabolism. Diminished or absent prolidase activity is related to a rare autosomal disease, referred to as prolidase deficiency.
