Thermolysin-like specificity, but is almost confined on acting on polypeptides of up to 30 amino acids (PubMed:6349683, PubMed:6208535, PubMed:15283675, PubMed:8168535). Biologically important in the destruction of opioid peptides such as Met- and Leu-enkephalins by cleavage of a Gly-Phe bond (PubMed:6349683, PubMed:17101991). Catalyzes cleavage of bradykinin, substance P and neurotensin peptides (PubMed:6208535). Able to cleave angiotensin-1, angiotensin-2 and angiotensin 1-9 (PubMed:6349683, PubMed:15283675). Involved in the degradation of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and brain natriuretic factor (BNP(1-32)) (PubMed:2531377, PubMed:2972276, PubMed:16254193). Displays UV-inducible elastase activity toward skin preelastic and elastic fibers (PubMed:20876573). Preferential cleavage of polypeptides between hydrophobic residues, particularly with Phe or Tyr at P1'. H2O + substance P = L-Leu-L-Met-NH2 + substance P(1-9) H2O + substance P = L-Phe-Gly-L-Leu-L-Met-NH2 + substance P(1-7) H2O + neurotensin = L-isoleucyl-L-leucine + neurotensin(1-11) H2O + neurotensin = L-tyrosyl-L-isoleucyl-L-leucine + neurotensin(1-10) Binds 1 zinc ion per subunit. Inhibited in a dose dependent manner by opiorphin (PubMed:17101991). Activated by K49-P1-20, a twenty-residue synthetic peptide shortened from the snake B.asper myotoxin II (PubMed:26931059). Myristoylation is a determinant of membrane targeting. Glycosylation at Asn-628 is necessary both for surface expression and neutral endopeptidase activity. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Important cell surface marker in the diagnostic of human acute lymphocytic leukemia. Belongs to the peptidase M13 family. Truncated N-terminus.