Carboxypeptidase B (EC 3.4.17.2, protaminase, pancreatic carboxypeptidase B, tissue carboxypeptidase B, peptidyl-L-lysine hydrolase) is a carboxypeptidase that preferentially acts upon basic amino acids, such as arginine and lysine. This serum enzyme is also responsible for rapidly metabolizing the C5a protein into C5a des-Arg, with one less amino acid. Carboxypeptidase B (EC 3.4.17.2, protaminase, pancreatic carboxypeptidase B, tissue carboxypeptidase B, peptidyl-L-lysine hydrolase) is a carboxypeptidase that preferentially acts upon basic amino acids, such as arginine and lysine. This serum enzyme is also responsible for rapidly metabolizing the C5a protein into C5a des-Arg, with one less amino acid.