ENPEP encodes glutamyl aminopeptidase (also called aminopeptidase A), a membrane-bound metalloprotease that cleaves N-terminal acidic residues from peptides, particularly converting angiotensin II to angiotensin III 1. The enzyme plays a crucial role in blood pressure regulation through the renin-angiotensin system, with genetic variants associated with hypertension risk 1. ENPEP is highly expressed in kidney cortex, small intestine enterocytes, and vascular smooth muscle cells, particularly pericytes 2. The protein localizes to plasma membranes, brush borders, and lysosomal membranes, facilitating peptide catabolism and angiogenesis regulation 2. In cancer contexts, ENPEP expression is significantly altered across multiple tumor types. Iron deficiency downregulates ENPEP through SP1 transcription factor inhibition, promoting angiogenesis and metastasis in liver tumors 3. Lower ENPEP expression correlates with better response to immune checkpoint inhibitors and improved overall survival in cancer patients 4. In glioblastoma, elevated ENPEP expression associates with poor prognosis and increased immune infiltration 5. ENPEP has also emerged as a potential biomarker for early Parkinson's disease, being consistently upregulated in cerebrospinal fluid and urine of patients 6. The gene maps to chromosome 4 and shows strong correlation with ACE2 expression, suggesting possible roles in SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology 2.