The Alzheimer's Amyloid-Degrading Peptidase, Neprilysin: Can We Control It?

Table 1

Functional role of NEP and some of its substrates in the CNS.

NEP substrates	Functions
Adrenomedullin	Vasodilator; tolerance to oxidative stress and hypoxia; inhibition of dendrite formation in the cerebral cortex [62], anxiety, pain [63]
Amyloid β-peptide	LTP, synaptic plasticity, memory, AD pathology [64]
Angiotensin I	Precursor to angiotensin II; enhances baroreceptor sensitivity [51]
Angiotensin II	Central cardiovascular regulation; attenuates baroreceptor sensitivity [51]
Bradykinin	Vasodilator; pain, hyperalgesia [65]; regulation of astrocyte calcium levels [66]
Cholecystokinin-8	Feeding behaviour, satiety, anxiety, obesity [67]
Corticotropin	Sleep, fatigue [68]
Dynorphins	Learning and memory, emotional control, stress response, pain [69]
Endomorphin	Pain, analgesic effect [70]
Enkephalins	Pain perception, cognitive functions, affective behaviours, locomotion [71]
Endothelin-1	Vasoconstriction, effects on water homeostasis and blood-brain barrier integrity, neuroinflammation, stroke [72]
Gastrin	Circadian rhythms [73], pathophysiology of itch [50]
Neuropeptide Y	Food intake, hormonal release, circadian rhythms, cardiovascular regulation, thermoregulation, stress response, anxiety and sleep [52]
Neurotensin	Modulation of dopamine signalling; dendrite elongation and the maturation of dendritic spines [54]
Oxytocin	Sexual arousal, bonding, stress, anxiolytic response [53]
Somatostatin	Motor activity, sleep, sensory processes, cognitive functions [74]
Substance P	Pain and inflammation [75], drug addiction [76], learning and memory [77], depression and anxiety [78, 79], itching [80]
VIP	Circadian rhythm [81]