Neurolysin: Proteins and Enzymes

Neurolysin, also known as Oligopeptidase M (mitochondrial peptidase), soluble angiotensin II-binding protein and endopeptidase EC 3.4.24.16, is a homologue of Thimet Ologopeptidase (THOP1), a zinc peptidase of the M3 family that also includes mitochondrial intermediate peptidase. Neurolysin expresses in two forms with the difference of an N-terminal transit peptide that targets the localization to mitochondria. The shorter form of Neurolysin exists in cytosol. Like THOP1, Neurolysin is capable of cleaving a number of vasoactive peptides such as bradykinin and neurotensin. All known substrates of THOP1 and Neurolysin contain 17 or fewer amino acids.