Chitinase-3-like 1
Chitinase-3-like 1 (CHI3L1, also known as YKL40, YK-40 and GP39) is a secreted glycoprotein of the glycosyl hydrolase 18 family. It binds carbohydrate, with a preference for chitin, but has no chitinase activity, and it is linked to inflammation and tissue remodelling. Browse Assay Genie's current range of Chitinase-3-like 1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
Chitinase-3-like 1 is a carbohydrate-binding lectin with a preference for chitin. Although it belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 18 family, the CHI3L1 protein has no chitinase activity. It is thought to play a role in tissue remodelling and in the capacity of cells to respond to and cope with changes in their environment. In immune signalling, it contributes to the T-helper cell type 2 (Th2) inflammatory response and to IL-13-induced inflammation. Through these routes it regulates allergen sensitisation, inflammatory cell apoptosis, dendritic cell accumulation and M2 macrophage differentiation.
The CHI3L1 gene encodes a glycoprotein that is secreted by activated macrophages, chondrocytes, neutrophils and synovial cells. UniProt lists its locations as the extracellular space, the cytoplasm (including the perinuclear region) and the endoplasmic reticulum. Chitinases hydrolyse chitin, a glycopolymer found in insect exoskeletons and fungal cell walls, and the glycoside hydrolase 18 family has eight human members. Chitinase-3-like 1 is one of the members that lacks this catalytic activity. Mouse and rat both have a Chi3l1 ortholog.
Reported functions extend to epithelial and host-defence biology. In colonic epithelial cells the protein mediates activation of the AKT1 signalling pathway and subsequent IL-8 production, and it facilitates invasion of pathogenic enteric bacteria into colonic mucosa and lymphoid organs. In the lung it regulates antibacterial responses by contributing to macrophage bacterial killing, controlling bacterial dissemination and augmenting host tolerance. It also regulates hyperoxia-induced injury, inflammation and epithelial apoptosis. The earlier name, chitinase 3-like 1 (cartilage glycoprotein-39), reflects the GP39 alias.
CHI3L1 contributes to Th2 and IL-13-induced inflammation, regulating allergen sensitisation, dendritic cell accumulation and M2 macrophage differentiation.
The protein is thought to act in tissue remodelling and in how cells cope with environmental change, and is secreted by chondrocytes and synovial cells.
Chitinase-3-like 1 regulates macrophage bacterial killing, host tolerance and hyperoxia-induced injury, inflammation and epithelial apoptosis in the lung.
It facilitates enteric bacterial invasion of colonic mucosa and mediates AKT1 signalling and IL-8 production in colonic epithelial cells.
Chitinase-3-like 1 is a secreted lectin that binds chitin but lacks chitinase activity. It is thought to take part in inflammation and tissue remodelling, and it influences Th2 and IL-13-driven responses, macrophage differentiation, epithelial apoptosis and antibacterial defence in the lung and colon.
CHI3L1 is also called YKL40, YK-40 and GP39. The HGNC name is chitinase 3 like 1, and the previous name was chitinase 3-like 1 (cartilage glycoprotein-39). UniProt lists the protein as Chitinase-3-like protein 1.
No. It belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 18 family but has no chitinase activity, and it acts as a chitin-binding lectin. Orthologs exist in mouse and rat, both named Chi3l1; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other chitinases and chitinase-like proteins of the glycosyl hydrolase 18 family with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P36222; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.