Catalyzes the peptide bond hydrolysis in Xaa-His dipeptides, displaying the highest activity toward carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) and anserine (beta-alanyl-3-methyl-histidine). Preferential hydrolysis of the beta-Ala-|-His dipeptide (carnosine), and also anserine, Xaa-|-His dipeptides and other dipeptides including homocarnosine. carnosine + H2O = beta-alanine + L-histidine anserine + H2O = beta-alanine + N(pros)-methyl-L-histidine H2O + L-alanyl-L-histidine = L-alanine + L-histidine glycyl-L-histidine + H2O = glycine + L-histidine H2O + L-homocarnosine = 4-aminobutanoate + L-histidine Binds 2 Zn(2+) ions per subunit. Homodimer. Detected exclusively in kidney. Belongs to the peptidase M20A family. In contrast to human counterpart, it lacks a signal sequence.