Elastase 1, Pancreatic (ELA1)

Elastase is an enzyme from the class of proteases (peptidases), that break down proteins.Elastase breaks down elastin, an elastic fibre that, together with collagen, determines the mechanical properties of connective tissue. The neutrophil form breaks down the Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of E. coli and other Gram-negative bacteria, and also breaks down Shigella virulence factors. This is accomplished through the cleavage of peptide bonds in the target proteins. The specific peptide bonds cleaved are those on the carboxy side of small, hydrophobic amino acids such as glycine, alanine, and valine. For more on how this is accomplished, see serine protease.Pancreatic elastase is a form of elastase formed in the pancreas.From recent research, it appears that of the two, ELA-1 is not transcribed into a protein.