Neprilysin

Neprilysin (also known as Neutral Endopeptidase, NEP, CALLA, CD10, and Common Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Antigen) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MME gene. Neprilysin is a zinc-dependent metalloprotease that degrades a number of small secreted peptides, most notably the amyloid beta peptide whose abnormal misfolding and aggregation in neural tissue has been implicated as a cause of Alzheimer's disease.

Function

Neprilysin is located on the surface of cells in a number of tissues and is particularly abundant in the kidney. It is believed to be involved in the degradation of enkephalins, and in the inactivation of other small secreted peptides that signal through G protein-coupled receptors.

Clinical significance

Neprilysin has been found to be associated with a number of clinical conditions. These include Alzheimer's disease, where it is believed to be involved in the degradation of amyloid-beta peptides. It is also associated with the progression of certain cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia and breast cancer.

See also

• MME (gene)
• Alzheimer's disease
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Breast cancer

References

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External links

• Neprilysin at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)