Elafin, also known as peptidase inhibitor 3 or skin-derived antileukoprotease (SKALP), is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''PI3''
gene
In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...
.
Function
This gene encodes an
elastase-specific
protease inhibitor, which contains a WAP-type four-disulfide core (WFDC) domain, and is thus a member of the
WFDC domain family. Most WFDC gene members are localized to
chromosome 20q12-q13 in two clusters: centromeric and telomeric. This gene belongs to the centromeric cluster.
Clinical significance
Elafin has been found to have utility in serving as a biomarker for graft versus host disease of the skin.
Elafin plays some role in gut inflammation.
References
Further reading
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External links
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