This invention relates to isolated or recombinant N-CBZ-deprotecting enzyme polypeptides that catalyze the removal of CBZ from CBZ-protected amino acids and alcohols, and variants, modifications, and fragments thereof. Also related are isolated nucleic acids encoding N-CBZ-deprotecting enzyme polypeptides, and variants, modifications, and fragments thereof, as well as vectors and host cells comprising these nucleic acids. The invention also relates to methods of obtaining isolated nucleic acids, polypeptides, and antibodies, and methods of using polypeptides in various reactions for industrial or pharmaceutical applications.