Inter Alpha-Globulin Inhibitor H5 Like Protein (ITIH5L)

ITIH5L belongs to the interalpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain (ITIH) family. Interalpha trypsin inhibitor (ITI) is composed of two heavy chains (containing VWA domain) and one light chain. The light chain confers the protease-inhibitor function, while the heavy chains are involved in mediating protein-protein interactions with the components of the extracellular matrix. ITIH5 also contains a putative 18-amino acid signal peptide and a conserved cleavage site in the C-terminal segment, containing a multicopper oxidase domain, which is cleaved during chain assembly. ITIH5 transcript at highest levels in placenta, at less abundant levels in mammary gland and ovary, and at barely detectable levels in all other tissues tested. Real-time PCR confirmed the predominant expression of ITIH5 in placenta.ITIH5 expression was undetected by real-time PCR in all breast carcinoma and epithelial cell lines examined.