The function of CNDP2 (carnosine dipeptidase 2, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000133313) is as follows. Cytosolic metallodipeptidase with broad substrate specificity that catalyzes the hydrolysis of amide bonds in dipeptides and pseudopeptides (PubMed:12473676, PubMed:19346245, PubMed:25964343). Substrates include L-cysteinylglycine, an intermediate metabolite of the gamma-glutamyl cycle of glutathione metabolism (PubMed:19346245, PubMed:25964343). Can also hydrolyze threonyl-containing dipeptides (By similarity). Upon physiological conditions of amino acids and lactate excess can also catalyze a reverse proteolysis reaction, generating N- [(S)-lactoyl]-L-phenylalanine and possibly other N-lactoyl-amino acids which it can also hydrolyze in vitro. N-[(S)-lactoyl]-L-phenylalanine is an exercise-induced metabolite that influences food intake and systemic energy balance (PubMed:25964343). Carnosine is probably not a physiological substrate and L-homocarnosine is not a substrate for this enzyme (PubMed:12473676). Plays a role in the regulation of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (PubMed:17121880, PubMed:24395568). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q9D1A2, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12473676, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17121880, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19346245, ECO:0000269|PubMed:24395568, ECO:0000269|PubMed:25964343}.