| Description | Neprilysin (NEP, EC 3.4.24.11), also known as neutral endopeptidase, enkephalinase, CD10, and common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen, is a zinc-containing transmembrane metalloproteinase. It is able to hydrolyze very important endogenous peptides, such as natriuretic atrial factor, enkephalins, substance P, bradykinin and amyloid β (Aβ) peptide. Thus, NEP is a potentially therapeutic target in important pathological conditions such as cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. NEP has also been used as a biological marker of a type of child leukemia and the detection of NEP in endometrial stromal cells had been proposed as a helpful tool in diagnosis of endometriosis. NEP is currently a focus of major i |
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