Rat Amylase Alpha 1, Salivary (AMY1) Protein

Background

AMY1A, also known as salivary alpha-amylase, is an enzyme responsible for catalyzing the hydrolysis of starch into smaller sugar molecules such as maltose and dextrins. It is primarily produced in the salivary glands and is secreted into the oral cavity, where it initiates the digestion of carbohydrates during chewing. AMY1A plays a key role in the first step of dietary carbohydrate breakdown, facilitating glucose availability for energy production. Variations in AMY1A gene copy number influence enzyme levels, with higher AMY1A expression linked to increased starch digestion efficiency. This variation is thought to have evolved in populations with high-starch diets. AMY1A also functions as a stress biomarker because its production is upregulated in response to sympathetic nervous system activation, making it a marker for acute stress, emotional states, and physical activity. Dysregulation of AMY1A has been associated with conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes, where altered carbohydrate metabolism plays a role in disease progression.