Pancreatic lipase-related protein 1 (or PLRP1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PNLIPRP1gene.[5] This pancreas protein was originally thought to function as a lipase (a type of enzyme that breaks down fats), but, unlike other members of the pancreatic lipase family, this was found to not be the case.[6]
While the function of PLRP1 is still poorly understood, it is secreted into pancreatic juice (by acinar cells) and has been found to bind to the protein colipase.[7] Since the primary digestive lipase, pancreatic lipase, also needs bind to colipase to function, it has been suggested that this protein may function to inhibit pancreatic lipase activity.[7] Interestingly, the PNLIPRP1 gene has been found to be more often nonfunctional (unlike in humans) in herbivores than carnivores, suggesting a digestive role whose value depends on diet.[8]
