Description

The SERPINA1 gene encodes alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), also known as protease inhibitor (PI), a major plasma serine protease inhibitor (serpin). Serpins control several types of chemical reactions by inhibiting the activity of certain enzymes. AAT complexes predominantly with elastase, but also with trypsin, chymotrypsin, thrombin, and bacterial proteases. The most important inhibitory action of AAT is that against neutrophil elastase (ELANE, OMIM: 130130), a protease that degrades elastin of the alveolar walls as well as other structural proteins of a variety of tissues (Cox, 2001).

External Information

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