Stains & molecular markers
AMY1A
Copyright: 2003-2021, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: stainsamy1a
AMY1A
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Topic Completed: 1 January 2014
Minor changes: 11 December 2020
Copyright: 2003-2021, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: stainsamy1a
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Clinical features | Uses by pathologists | Positive staining - disease | Negative stainingCite this page: Pernick N. AMY1A. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/stainsamy1a.html. Accessed January 22nd, 2021.
Definition / general
- Also known as amylase alpha 1A
- Amylases are secreted proteins that hydrolyze 1,4-alpha-glucoside bonds in oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, the first step in digestion of dietary starch and glycogen
- Humans have cluster of several amylase genes expressed at high levels in salivary gland or pancreas (NCBI Gene)
Clinical features
- AMY1 genes show extensive copy number variation, which is directly proportional to salivary α-amylase content in saliva (J Nutrigenet Nutrigenomics 2012;5:117)
- Gene is deleted in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma but not oncocytoma
Uses by pathologists
- Differentiate oncocytoma (AMY1A+) from chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (both classic and eosinophilic variants are negative, Am J Surg Pathol 2013;37:1824)
Positive staining - disease
- Oncocytoma
Negative staining
- Renal carcinomas: chromophone, clear cell, papillary
