Serine Peptidase Inhibitor Kazal Type 1 (SPINK1)

SPINK1 is a trypsin inhibitor, which is secreted from pancreatic acinar cells into pancreatic juice. It is thought to function in the prevention of trypsin-catalyzed premature activation of zymogens within the pancreas and the pancreatic duct. Mutations in this gene are associated with hereditary pancreatitis and tropical calcific pancreatitis.The 79-amino acid sequence contains a 23-amino acid signal peptide followed directly by the 56-amino acid mature secreted form.Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) is identical to PSTI. TATI is a 6-kD peptide that is synthesized by several tumors and cell lines. It was initially detected in urine of patients with ovarian cancer .This peptide is also produced by the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract where it may protect the mucosal cells from proteolytic breakdown.