Chymotrypsin-like elastase family member 3B (CELA3B)

Chymotrypsin-like elastase family member 3B (CELA3B) is a pancreatic enzyme and serine protease primarily expressed in the acinar cells of the pancreas and secreted as a zymogen into the intestine, where it acts to digest proteins, preferentially cleaving at alanine residues[1][3][7]. Unlike other elastases, CELA3B has little elastolytic activity but may participate in cholesterol transport and metabolism in the gut[1][5]. It is clinically significant as fecal elastase 1, a stable marker used for non-invasive assessment of exocrine pancreatic function, especially in the diagnosis of pancreatic insufficiency[6]. Mutations such as R90C can cause a gain of function by increasing translation and secretion of active protease, leading to increased risk of pancreatitis and other pancreatic pathologies, including familial forms involving diabetes and cancer[4]. Immunostaining for CELA3B is highly specific for pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma and rarely found in other tissues[2].

Other names

Elastase 3BELA3BProtease EProteinase EElastase IIIBElastase-3BPancreatic endopeptidase ECholesterol-binding pancreatic proteaseFecal elastase 1Pancreatic elastase 1CBPP

Serine protease inhibition (for theoretical or research elastase inhibitors). Any identified drug action would be by blocking the enzymatic activity of the active protease.