Oxytocinase
Oxytocinase, also known as leucyl/cystinyl aminopeptidase or LNPEP, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the LNPEP gene. It is a type of aminopeptidase, a class of enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of amino acids from the amino terminus of protein or peptide substrates.
Function[edit | edit source]
Oxytocinase is a membrane-bound enzyme that has a key role in the metabolism of oxytocin, a neuropeptide that plays a significant role in social bonding, sexual reproduction, childbirth, and the period after childbirth. The enzyme cleaves oxytocin at the Pro2-Leu3 bond, thereby inactivating it.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Alterations in oxytocinase activity have been associated with several medical conditions. For instance, increased levels of oxytocinase have been observed in the plasma of pregnant women, and it is believed to play a role in the regulation of uterine contractions during labor. Additionally, alterations in oxytocinase activity have been implicated in conditions such as pre-eclampsia, autism, and schizophrenia.
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