Microvillar membrane neutral endopeptidases.

Recent developments on neutral endopeptidase (NEP, EC 3.4.24.11) are described. These include (1) the development of a novel colorimetric assay with a chromogenic substrate (Glutaryl-Gly-Gly-Phe-2-naphthylamide) coupled with aminopeptidase M (EC 3.4.11.2). (2) A detergent form of the pig kidney enzyme has been purified by immuno-adsorbent chromatography and its molecular properties compared with other forms of the enzyme from rabbit kidney and pig intestine. (3) Rat kidney microvilli contain two endopeptidases of about equal activity when assayed with [125I]iodo-insulin B chain as substrate. One is similar to the rabbit and pig endopeptidases in being sensitive to inhibition by phosphoamidon. The other is insensitive to the inhibitor, though susceptible to chelating agents. The two enzymes are resolvable and have been partially characterized. (4) Endopeptidases of the phosphoramidon-sensitive type are present in various tissues in addition to the principal locations in brush borders of kidney and intestine.