Regenerating Islet Derived Protein 3 Alpha (REG3a)

Regenerating islet-derived protein 3 alpha is a pancreatic secretory protein that may be involved in cell proliferation or differentiation. It has similarity to the C-type lectin superfamily. The enhanced expression of this gene is observed during pancreatic inflammation and liver carcinogenesis. The predicted protein had the same size as the rat protein and showed 71% amino acid identity, the 6 half-cysteines being in identical positions. As in the rat, the protein was expressed at very low levels in control tissues and overexpressed during the acute phase of pancreatitis in humans. The protein could be immunolocalized to the apical regions of acinar cells. The protein was also quantifiable in serum with an elevation of levels in pancreatitis, suggesting its possible use as a biologic marker of the disease.