Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor
Encyclopedia
Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitors (IαI) are plasma protein
s consisting of three of four heavy chains selected from the group ITIH1
, ITIH2
, ITIH3
, ITIH4
and one light chain selected from the group AMBP or SPINT2
. They function as protease
inhibitors.
IαI form complexes with hyaluronan
(HA), generating a serum-derived hyaluronan-associated protein (SHAP)-HA complex. The SHAP-HA complex is found in very high concentration in rheumatoid arthritic synovial fluid
suggesting it has a role in the inflammatory response.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
s consisting of three of four heavy chains selected from the group ITIH1
ITIH1
Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ITIH1 gene....
, ITIH2
ITIH2
Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ITIH2 gene....
, ITIH3
ITIH3
Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ITIH3 gene....
, ITIH4
ITIH4
Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ITIH4 gene....
and one light chain selected from the group AMBP or SPINT2
SPINT2
Kunitz-type protease inhibitor 2 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the SPINT2 gene.-Further reading:...
. They function as protease
Protease
A protease is any enzyme that conducts proteolysis, that is, begins protein catabolism by hydrolysis of the peptide bonds that link amino acids together in the polypeptide chain forming the protein....
inhibitors.
IαI form complexes with hyaluronan
Hyaluronan
Hyaluronan is an anionic, nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan distributed widely throughout connective, epithelial, and neural tissues...
(HA), generating a serum-derived hyaluronan-associated protein (SHAP)-HA complex. The SHAP-HA complex is found in very high concentration in rheumatoid arthritic synovial fluid
Synovial fluid
Synovial fluid is a viscous, non-Newtonian fluid found in the cavities of synovial joints. With its yolk-like consistency , the principal role of synovial fluid is to reduce friction between the articular cartilage of synovial joints during movement.-Overview:The inner membrane of synovial joints...
suggesting it has a role in the inflammatory response.