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Isoforms of amylase

Definition

The human genome encodes multiple AMY loci. AMY1 products are expressed in saliva; AMY2 products are expressed in the pancreas. The two sets of isoforms are closely related but have different profiles on electrophoresis and behave differently with antibody-based assays.

Related terms

Alpha-amylase (salivary)
An enzyme encoded by the AMY1 gene and secreted by the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. It cleaves starch at alpha-1,4-glycosidic bonds...
Double-swab technique
DNA collection method in which a wet swab is applied to the wound perimeter first to rehydrate and collect biological material, followed...
Phadebas test
A colorimetric presumptive test for alpha-amylase activity. Phadebas tablets contain a blue-dyed insoluble starch; amylase releases soluble blue dye that is measured...
Presumptive vs. confirmatory testing
Presumptive tests (Phadebas) give rapid screening results but have cross-reactants; they justify further analysis. Confirmatory or highly specific tests (RSID-Saliva, mRNA analysis)...
RSID-Saliva
Rapid Stain Identification of Saliva. An immunochromatographic lateral-flow assay using monoclonal antibodies specific to human salivary amylase. More specific than Phadebas, with...

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