CHIA

Function

Degrades chitin and chitotriose. May participate in the defense against nematodes, fungi and other pathogens. Plays a role in T-helper cell type 2 (Th2) immune response. Contributes to the response to IL-13 and inflammation in response to IL-13. Stimulates chemokine production by pulmonary epithelial cells. Protects lung epithelial cells against apoptosis and promotes phosphorylation of AKT1. Its function in the inflammatory response and in protecting cells against apoptosis is inhibited by allosamidin, suggesting that the function of this protein depends on carbohydrate binding.

Sequence Similarities

Belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 18 family. Chitinase class II subfamily.

Tissue Specificity

Detected in lung epithelial cells from asthma patients (at protein level). Highly expressed in stomach. Detected at lower levels in lung.

Cellular localization

• Isoform 1
• Secreted
• Secretion depends on EGFR activity.
• Isoform 2
• Cytoplasm
• Isoform 3
• Cytoplasm

Alternative names

Acidic mammalian chitinase, AMCase, Lung-specific protein TSA1902, CHIA

Database links

swissprot:Q9BZP6 genbank:NM_021797.2 omim:606080 entrezGene:27159