Cytosolic non-specific dipeptidase (CNDP2)

Hydrolyzes a variety of dipeptides such as L-carnosine but has a strong taste for Cys-Gly (PubMed:19346245). Acts as a functional tumor suppressor in gastric cancer via activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.

An elevated level of CNDP2 activates the p38 and JNK MAPK pathways to induce cell apoptosis, and a lower degree of CNDP2 activates the ERK MAPK pathway to promote cell proliferation (PubMed:24395568). Isoform 2 may play a role as tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells (PubMed:17121880).