Background of the antigen
Thimet oligopeptidase, also designated soluble metallo-endopeptidase, is a cytoplasmic protein belonging to the peptidase M3 family. The gene for the protein maps against chromosome 19q13.3. Thimet oligopeptidase can degrade the b-Amyloid precursor protein and generate amyloidogenic fragments. It is important in cytoplasmic peptide degradation and involved in metabolism of neuropeptides that are less than 20 amino acids in length. Thimet oligopeptidase is highly expressed in testis but can also be detected in liver, lung and kidney.
