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Neprilysin expression and functions in development, ageing and disease
N N Nalivaeva1, I A Zhuravin2, A J Turner3
1I.M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
|September 28, 2020
Summary
Neprilysin (NEP) regulates vital processes and is a target for Alzheimer's disease and other conditions. Understanding NEP's role in brain aging and disease is crucial for developing new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Neprilysin (NEP) is a metallopeptidase with diverse physiological roles, including in the kidney and cardiovascular system.
- NEP functions as a neuropeptidase and amyloid-degrading enzyme, making it a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- NEP is implicated in cancer, obesity, type-2 diabetes, and recently suggested in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature and research on Neprilysin (NEP) expression and activity.
- To investigate changes in NEP expression and regulation during normal brain development and aging.
- To understand NEP's role in age-related neuropathologies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of NEP structure, function, and expression.
- Analysis of NEP activity and expression in normal and pathological brain conditions.
- Examination of NEP's role in brain development and aging processes.
Main Results:
- NEP has broad physiological functions and is a therapeutic target for various diseases.
- Despite research, NEP's regulation during brain development and aging remains incompletely understood.
- Pharmacological targeting of NEP is hindered by incomplete knowledge of its age-related roles.
Conclusions:
- Further research into NEP's expression and regulation in the aging brain is essential.
- Understanding NEP's role in age-related pathologies could unlock new therapeutic strategies.
- NEP remains a promising target for treating neurodegenerative diseases and other conditions.
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