Cytosolic non-specific dipeptidase (EC3.4.13.18) also known as carnosine dipeptidase 2 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the CNDP2gene.[5][6][7] This enzyme catalyses the hydrolysis of dipeptides, preferentially those containing hydrophobic amino acids. The human enzyme uses manganese ions as a cofactor.[8] In addition to its function as a peptidase, the enzyme also functions to generate N-lactoyl amino acids, such as N-lactoyl-phenylalanine, via the process of "reverse proteolysis".[9] A similar pathway conjugates amino acids to Beta-hydroxybutyric acid.[10]