Elastase-1 Background Information Elastase-1 is a serine protease that belongs to the elastase subfamily of the peptidase S1 family. It is secreted by the exocrine pancreas in all mammals but is transcriptionally silent in human pancreas due to mutations that inactivate its promoter and enhancer. Elastase-1 plays a role in the digestion of elastin, fibrin, hemoglobin and albumin and its activity can be inhibited by elafin. In humans, Elastase-1 is expressed only in skin keratinocytes and localizes to the basal cell layer of the epidermis where it may play a role in the detachment of cells from the basement membrane. Elastase-1 expressed in keratinocytes may be inhibited by SLPI (secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor) instead of elafin. In adddition, Elastase-1 may be a candidate for diffuse nonepidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (NEPPK), an autosomal dominant skin disease.
