Neprilysin (NEP), also known as neutral endopeptidase, is a widely expressed zinc-dependent metalloproteinase with a broad substrate portfolio, including insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), natriuretic peptides, substance P, and amyloid-β, influencing glucose metabolism, lipid homeostasis, and vascular tone. Elevated NEP activity is associated with decreased insulin sensitivity, impaired β-cell function, and glucose intolerance in experimental animals. In humans, higher circulating NEP levels correlate with insulin resistance, increased body mass index (BMI), and features of metabolic syndrome, including obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Due to the wide range of metabolic effects neprilysin has, it is a target of high interest for the pharmaceutical industry. AkrivisBio’s Neprilysin Inhibitor Screening Kit is a sensitive means of quantifying potential inhibitors of neprilysin activity in a simple format.
