Pancreatic Elastase

Pancreatic elastase is a form of elastase that is formed in the pancreas. Elastases form a subfamily of serine proteases that hydrolyze many proteins in addition to elastin.

The first isozyme, pancreatic elastase 1 was initially thought to be expressed in the pancreas. However it was later discovered that it was the only chymotrypsin-like elastase that was not expressed in the pancreas. Hence this protein has been renamed elastase 1 (ELA1) or chymotrypsin-like elastase family, member 1 (CELA1). For a period of time, it was thought that that ELA1 / CELA1 was not transcribed into a protein. However it was later discovered that it was expressed in skin keratinocytes.

Clinical literature that describes human elastase 1 activity in the pancreas or fecal material is actually referring to chymotrypsin-like elastase family, member 3B (CELA3B).

Read more about Pancreatic Elastase:  Isozymes, Use As Diagnostic