Detection of human elastase isoforms by the ScheBo pancreatic elastase 1 test

The ScheBo Pancreatic Elastase 1 stool test is widely used to assess pancreatic exocrine function, yet its molecular targets have been poorly defined. We demonstrate that, among the human pancreatic proteinases, the test measures the elastase isoform chymotrypsin-like elastase (CELA) 3B (CELA3B) and, to a lesser extent, CELA3A. Genetic variants of the human CELA3 isoforms have no significant effect on test performance.