title: Alpha 1-antichymotrypsin.
abstract: alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin, a member of the serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) family, inhibits neutrophil proteinase cathepsin G and mast cell chymases, and protects the lower respiratory tract from damage by proteolytic enzymes. It contains a reactive centre loop, which interacts with cognate proteinases, resulting in loop cleavage and a major conformational change. Recently, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin has been identified as a major constituent of the neurofibrillary plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease, and in vitro studies have shown that it enhances the rate of amyloid-fibril formation. These observations and recent genetic evidence suggest that alpha 1-antichymotrypsin is important in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University Hospital Nottingham, U.K.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Kalsheker
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009454:Neurofibrils / Q000473:pathology; D000514:alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000514:alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin