Gene Expression of the Two Heavy Chains and One Light Chain Forming the Inter-Alpha-Trypsin-Inhibitor in Human Tissues

Abstract

Human inter-alpha-trypsin-inhibitor (ITI) is a serine proteinase inhibitor with a molecular weight of 220 kDa which consists of 3 different polypeptides. The constitutive components are 2 heavy chains (H1 and H2 chains) and 1 light chain (L chain), and its inhibitory activity is considered to be derived from this L chain. It has also been reported that this L chain is almost identical to the trypsin inhibitor (UTI) occurring in human urine. We examined the gene expression of the ITI constitutive peptides in human tissues using the reverse transcription (RT) -PCR technique. As a result, the genes of the H1 chain were found to be expressed in various tissues, particularly strongly in the liver. On the other hand, the genes of the H2 chain were found to be strongly expressed in the adrenal glands, brain, kidneys, and lungs, as well as the liver. Further, the PCR amplification product of the L chain was strongly detected not only in the liver but also in the pancreas, kidneys, lungs, stomach and testes. These results suggest the possibility that the major tissue which produces ITI is the liver, and the H chains and L chain (UTI) are produced as a component of ITI-related proteins in other tissues as well as in the liver.