Pancreatic lipase-related protein 1 (or PLRP1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PNLIPRP1 gene. This pancreas protein was originally thought to function as a lipase (a type of enzyme that breaks down fats), but, unlike other members of the pancreatic lipase family, this was found to not be the case.
While the function of PLRP1 is still poorly understood, it is secreted into pancreatic juice (by acinar cells) and has been found to bind to the protein colipase. Since the primary digestive lipase, pancreatic lipase, also needs bind to colipase to function, it has been suggested that this protein may function to inhibit pancreatic lipase activity. Interestingly, the PNLIPRP1 gene has been found to be more often nonfunctional (unlike in humans) in herbivores than carnivores, suggesting a digestive role whose value depends on diet.
See also PNLIPRP2 Acinar cell
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