Chymase
| chymase 1, mast cell | |
|---|---|
 Chymase with PMSF bound PDB: 1KLT | |
| Identifiers | |
| Symbol | CMA1 |
| Entrez | 1215 |
| HUGO | 2097 |
| OMIM | 118938 |
| RefSeq | NM_001836 |
| UniProt | P23946 |
| Other data | |
| EC number | 3.4.21.39 |
| Locus | Chr. 14 q11.2 |
Chymases (EC 3.4.21.39, mast cell protease 1, skeletal muscle protease, skin chymotryptic proteinase, mast cell serine proteinase, skeletal muscle protease) are a family of serine proteases found primarily in mast cells, though also present in basophil granulocytes (e.g. alpha chymase mcpt8). They show broad peptidolytic activity and are involved in a variety of functions. For example, chymases are released by mucosal mast cells upon challenge with parasites and parasite antigens promoting an inflammatory response. Chymases are also known to convert angiotensin I to angiotensin II and thus play a role in hypertension and atherosclerosis.[1]
Because of its role in inflammation it has been investigated as a target in the treatment of asthma.[2]
References
- ↑ Caughey, GH. Mast cell tryptases and chymases in inflammation and host defense. Immu Revs 2007 (217): 141-154. PMID 17498057
- ↑ de Garavilla et al. Journal of Biochemistry 2005(280) pp.18001-18007.
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