Neprilysin (NEP, EC 3.4.24.11), also known as neutral endopeptidase, enkephalinase, CD10, and common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen, is a type II zinc-containing transmembrane metalloproteinase. It is able to hydrolyze very important endogenous peptides, such as natriuretic atrial factor, enkephalins, substance P, bradykinin and amyloid beta-peptide. Thus, NEP is a potentially therapeutic target in important pathological conditions such as cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, Alzheimer's disease and analgesia. NEP has also been used as a biological marker of a type of childhood leukemia called CALLA. NEP is currently a focus of interest in cardiovascular and neurobiological research. NEP inhibitors have shown promising results as