AMZ1 shares sequence similarity with archaeal metalloproteases called archaemetzincins, but it appears to act predominantly as a basic aminopeptidase. Inhibited by the general metalloprotease inhibitors o-phenanthroline and batimastat. Also significantly inhibited by amastatin, which is an inhibitor of aminopeptidases. Not inhibited by 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonyl fluoride, E-64, and TIMPS (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases), which are inhibitors of serine, cysteine, and matrix metalloproteases, respectively.