AMY1A
AMY1A (amylase alpha 1A, previously AMY1) is a secreted, calcium-binding alpha-amylase produced by the salivary gland. It initiates starch digestion in the oral cavity by hydrolysing internal alpha-1,4-glucosidic bonds. Browse Assay Genie's current range of AMY1A research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
AMY1A is a calcium-binding enzyme that starts the digestion of starch in the mouth. It catalyses the hydrolysis of internal (1->4)-alpha-D-glucosidic bonds, producing a mixture of maltose, isomaltose, small amounts of glucose, and small linear and branched oligosaccharides known as dextrins. More broadly, amylases are secreted proteins that act on 1,4-alpha-glucoside bonds in oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, catalysing the first step in the digestion of dietary starch and glycogen.
The AMY1A gene lies within a cluster of several amylase genes in the human genome. Members of this cluster are expressed at high levels in either the salivary gland or the pancreas, and the AMY1A gene encodes an isoenzyme produced by the salivary gland. Alternative splicing gives rise to multiple transcript variants that all encode the same protein. The AMY1A protein belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 13 family and is classed by HGNC in the alpha amylases gene group. The mouse ortholog is Amy1.
The gene has been known under several names, including AMY1, amylase, alpha 1A; salivary, and amylase alpha 1A (salivary), which reflect its salivary origin. Researchers studying AMY1A often work alongside other amylase isoenzymes to compare salivary and pancreatic enzyme activity, and to investigate starch and glycogen processing at the molecular level.
AMY1A initiates starch breakdown in the oral cavity, making it a central enzyme for studying the first step of carbohydrate digestion.
As a calcium-binding glycosyl hydrolase, AMY1A hydrolyses internal alpha-1,4 bonds to yield maltose, isomaltose and dextrins, which suits mechanistic studies.
The AMY1A gene encodes the amylase isoenzyme produced by the salivary gland, distinguishing it from pancreatic amylase genes.
AMY1A sits in a human amylase gene cluster with salivary and pancreatic members, supporting comparative work on isoenzyme expression.
AMY1A is a secreted, calcium-binding enzyme that initiates starch digestion in the oral cavity. It hydrolyses internal (1->4)-alpha-D-glucosidic bonds, releasing maltose, isomaltose, a little glucose and dextrins, which are small linear and branched oligosaccharides.
AMY1A, the HGNC symbol for amylase alpha 1A, was previously AMY1. Earlier names include amylase, alpha 1A; salivary, and amylase alpha 1A (salivary). UniProt lists the protein as alpha-amylase 1A. NCBI notes that alternative splicing yields transcript variants encoding the same protein.
The mouse ortholog of AMY1A is Amy1. The human gene is one of a cluster of amylase genes, some expressed in salivary gland and others in pancreas. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other amylase and related targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P0DUB6; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.