title: Neutral endopeptidase modulates septic shock.
abstract: Neutral endopeptidase (NEP; EC 3.4.24.11) is a type-2 cell-surface metalloproteinase known by a variety of eponyms, including enkephalinase, common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA), and CD10. Identified substrates are largely neural or humoral oligopeptide agonists, and the enzyme functions to terminate signaling by degrading the ligand, analogous to the acetylcholine/acetylcholinesterase system. Targeted disruption of the NEP locus in mice results in enhanced lethality to endotoxin shock with a pronounced gene-dosage effect. The site(s) of action appears downstream from release of TNF and IL-1, as NEP-deficient animals demonstrate increased sensitivity to these mediators as well. This unexpected finding indicates an important protective role for NEP in septic shock.
authors.affiliation: The Ina Sue Perimutter Laboratory, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Gerard
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Kolakowski
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Finco
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gerard
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004731:Endotoxins; D005260:Female; D018390:Gene Targeting; D015698:Genomic Library; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012477:Salmonella enteritidis; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004731:Endotoxins; C027952:salmonella toxin; D015260:Neprilysin