Alpha-amylase 2A is a digestive enzyme that in humans is encoded by the AMY2A gene. This enzyme functions to break down carbohydrates and especially starch. The enzymes AMY2A and AMY2B (sometimes collectively called AMY2) are the primary alpha-amylases secreted by the acinar cells of the pancreas into pancreatic juice, which is released into the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestines).
Function
Amylases are secreted proteins that hydrolyze 1,4-alpha-glucoside bonds in oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, and thus catalyze the first step in digestion of dietary starch and glycogen. The human genome has a cluster of several amylase genes that are expressed at high levels in either salivary gland (AMY1A, AMY1B, AMY1C) or pancreas (AMY2A, AMY2B). This gene encodes an amylase isoenzyme produced by the pancreas. Like the saliva AMY1 enzymes, the number of AMY2-encoding genes varies from individual to individual, however the AMY2A and AMY2B proteins are ~99% similar but not identical.
