inter alpha trypsin inhibitor (inter-alpha-inhibitor, I-alpha-I)

Function

• carrier of hyaluronan in serum (putative)
• binding protein between hyaluronan & other matrix proteins, including those on cell surfaces
• may regulate localization, synthesis & degradation of hyaluronan

Structure

• subunits:
  • ITIH1, ITIH2 & alpha-1 microglobulin (bikunin)
  • ITIH2 linked to bikunin via chondroitin 4-sulfate esterified to the ITIH2 alpha-carboxyl of C-terminal Asp after propeptide cleavage (putative)

More general terms

• molecular complex
• trypsin inhibitor
• inter alpha globulin