The invention is directed to an isolated genomic polynucleotide fragment that encodes human soluble (cytosolic) aminopeptidase P, vectors and hosts containing the fragment and fragments hybridizing to noncoding regions as well as antisense oligonucleotides to these fragments. The invention is further directed to methods of using these fragments to obtain human soluble aminopeptidase P and to diagnose, treat, prevent and/or ameliorate a pathological disorder.