CHIA
CHIA (chitinase acidic), also known as AMCase, TSA1902 and CHIT2, is a secreted glycosyl hydrolase that degrades chitin and chitotriose. It also contributes to Th2-type immune responses and to inflammation driven by IL-13. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CHIA research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CHIA, the acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase), degrades chitin and chitotriose. Chitin is found in the cell wall of most fungi as well as in arthropods and some nematodes, and CHIA may therefore take part in defence against nematodes, fungi and other pathogens. Beyond its enzymatic role, the protein is involved in immune signalling. It plays a part in the T-helper cell type 2 (Th2) immune response, contributes to the response to IL-13 and to inflammation in response to IL-13, and stimulates chemokine production by pulmonary epithelial cells.
CHIA also protects lung epithelial cells against apoptosis and promotes phosphorylation of AKT1. Both its inflammatory function and its anti-apoptotic function are inhibited by allosamidin, which suggests that these activities depend on carbohydrate binding. The CHIA protein belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 18 family and the chitinase class II subfamily, and is found both secreted and in the cytoplasm. The encoded protein can also stimulate interleukin 13 expression.
The human CHIA gene is the subject of HGNC entry HGNC:17432 and sits in the chitinase gene group. It has also been catalogued as chitinase, acidic, and under the symbols TSA1902 and CHIT2. According to the NCBI Gene summary, variations in the gene can lead to asthma susceptibility, and several transcript variants encode a few different isoforms. Orthologous Chia genes exist in mouse and rat, which allows the biology of CHIA to be studied in rodent models of airway inflammation and host defence.
Variations in the CHIA gene are linked to asthma susceptibility, and the protein contributes to IL-13-driven inflammation.
CHIA plays a role in the T-helper cell type 2 immune response and can stimulate interleukin 13 expression.
By degrading chitin, CHIA may help defend against nematodes, fungi and other chitin-containing pathogens.
CHIA stimulates chemokine production in pulmonary epithelial cells and protects them against apoptosis, promoting AKT1 phosphorylation.
CHIA degrades chitin and chitotriose and may help defend against nematodes, fungi and other pathogens. It also supports the Th2 immune response, contributes to IL-13-dependent inflammation, stimulates chemokine production by pulmonary epithelial cells and protects lung epithelial cells from apoptosis.
CHIA is also called acidic mammalian chitinase, AMCase, TSA1902 and CHIT2, and was previously named chitinase, acidic. NCBI Gene reports several transcript variants that encode a few different isoforms, so check which isoform a given reagent recognises.
Mouse and rat both have an orthologous Chia gene. According to the NCBI Gene summary, variations in human CHIA can lead to asthma susceptibility. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Chitinases, IL-13 pathway components and signalling proteins connected to CHIA biology.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9BZP6; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.