A novel human dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (DPP8) with structural and functional similarities to DPPIV and fibroblast activation protein (FAP) has been identified and characterized. The novel peptide comprises the sequence ID NO: 1, the amino acid sequences His<736>GlyTrpSerTyrGlyGlyTyrLeu, Leu<816>AspGluAsnValHisPheAlaHis, Glu<847>ArgHisSerIleArg, Phe<225>ValLeuGlnGluGluPhe, or a sequence having at least 60 % homology with, and the substrate specificity of SEQ ID NO:1. A gene encoding the dipeptidyl peptidase and uses of the dipeptidyl peptidase.
DIPEPTIDYL PEPTIDASES