Symbol CMA1 HUGO 2097 RefSeq NM_001836 | Entrez 1215 OMIM 118938 UniProt P23946 | |
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Chymases (EC 3.4.21.39, mast cell protease 1, skeletal muscle protease, skin chymotryptic proteinase, mast cell serine proteinase, skeletal muscle protease) are a family of serine proteases found primarily in mast cells, though also present in basophil granulocytes (e.g. alpha chymase mcpt8). They show broad peptidolytic activity and are involved in a variety of functions. For example, chymases are released by mucosal mast cells upon challenge with parasites and parasite antigens promoting an inflammatory response. Chymases are also known to convert angiotensin I to angiotensin II and thus play a role in hypertension and atherosclerosis.
Because of its role in inflammation it has been investigated as a target in the treatment of asthma.
References
Chymase Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA