Regenerating (reg) gene encodes protein that has been involved in pancreatic lithogenesis and the regeneration of islet cells and therefore the abnormality of reg genes could be associated with fibrocalculous pancreatopathy. REG I has been shown to be crucial for induction of ductal epithelial cells to differentiate into some cells. Lithostathine-1-alpha, also known as Pancreatic stone protein, Pancreatic thread protein, Regenerating islet-derived protein 1-alpha, REG1A, REG-1-alpha, and PSPS, is highly expressed in fetal and infant brains. REG1A contains one C-type lectin domain and is a known growth factor affecting pancreatic islet beta cells. REG1A may act as an inhibitor of spontaneous calcium carbonate precipitation. It may also be associated with neuronal sprouting in brain, and with brain and pancreas regeneration. REG1A has been reported to be expressed in human cancers, and it may be positively correlated with patient's prognosis. REG3A and REG1A proteins are both involved in liver and pancreatic regeneration and proliferation. High levels of REG1A expression by tumor cells are an independent predictor of a poor prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
