This gene encodes a member of the metallopeptidase M3 protein family that cleaves neurotensin at the Pro10-Tyr11 bond, leading to the formation of neurotensin(1-10) and neurotensin(11-13). The encoded protein is likely involved in the termination of the neurotensinergic signal in the central nervous system and in the gastrointestinal tract.[provided by RefSeq, Jun 2010].
Lim, Sampath, Coll-Rodriguez, Schmidt, Ray, Rodgers: "Swapping the substrate specificities of the neuropeptidases neurolysin and thimet oligopeptidase." in: The Journal of biological chemistry, Vol. 282, Issue 13, pp. 9722-32, (2007) (PubMed).