Neprilysin (NEP) is a type II membrane metalloendopeptidase composed of ∼750 residues with an active site containing a zinc-binding motif (HEXXH) at the extracellular carboxyl terminal domain. Neprilysin is capable of degrading the monomeric and the oligomeric forms of Aβ peptide. Neprilysin is the dominant Aβ peptide-degrading enzyme in the brain; Neprilysin becomes inactivated and down-regulated during both the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and aging.

Neprilysin is a neutral endopeptidase and its inhibition increases bioavailability of natriuretic peptides, bradykinin, and substance P, resulting in natriuretic, vasodilatatory, and anti-proliferative effects.