Details for: OVCH1

Gene ID: 341350

Gene Type:  Protein-coding  - A gene that serves as a template for producing a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which is then translated into a functional protein.

Symbol: OVCH1

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000187950

Description: ovochymase 1

Cell Significance Landscape

Associated with

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • alveolar macrophage CL0000583
    CSI 7.23
    rCSI 11.9%
    PRS 98.99
  • pvalb GABAergic cortical interneuron CL4023018
    CSI 3.38
    rCSI 4.21%
    PRS 95.4
  • sst GABAergic cortical interneuron CL4023017
    CSI 3.04
    rCSI 3.92%
    PRS 96.43
  • L5 extratelencephalic projecting glutamatergic cortical neuron CL4023041
    CSI 1.98
    rCSI 7.11%
    PRS 95.23
  • dopaminergic neuron CL0000700
    CSI 1.34
    rCSI 7.56%
    PRS 94.98
  • chandelier pvalb GABAergic cortical interneuron CL4023036
    CSI 1.3
    rCSI 4.07%
    PRS 96.42
  • L2/3-6 intratelencephalic projecting glutamatergic neuron CL4023040
    CSI 1.2
    rCSI 2.91%
    PRS 94.77
  • medium spiny neuron CL1001474
    CSI 1.16
    rCSI 9.99%
    PRS 95.91
  • direct pathway medium spiny neuron CL4023026
    CSI 0.98
    rCSI 23.56%
    PRS 94.22
  • indirect pathway medium spiny neuron CL4023029
    CSI 0.9
    rCSI 21.77%
    PRS 93.92
  • near-projecting glutamatergic cortical neuron CL4023012
    CSI 0.74
    rCSI 2.81%
    PRS 95.43
  • central nervous system neuron CL2000029
    CSI 0.64
    rCSI 4.68%
    PRS 96.42

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

Explore relationships of the current gene. Select an Interaction Source: 'ONTOLOGY' for shared pathways (GO/Reactome) or 'STRING' for protein-protein interactions. Further refine by selecting context genes and comparing Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores between baseline and target cell types and their specific contexts.

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Legend:
  • Query Gene
  • Node Color (Target Cell CSI, relative to current network):
    • Very High
    • High
    • Medium
    • Low
    • Very Low
    • CSI N/A
  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
  • STRING PPI Edge
  • Shared Pathway Edge (ONTOLOGY)

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Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) (Ovochymase 1) is a protein-coding gene that encodes a serine-type endopeptidase located in the extracellular region. **Overall**, its expression profile is characterized by exceptionally high significance in [alveolar macrophage](/details-cell/CL0000583)s, suggesting a primary role in the immune surveillance and tissue remodeling of the lung. Additionally, [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) shows consistent, albeit lower, expression across a diverse set of neuronal subtypes, including both GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons, indicating a secondary, specialized function within the central nervous system. Its enzymatic function, [proteolysis](/details-go/GO:0006508), likely contributes to modulating the extracellular environment in both of these distinct physiological contexts. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression landscape of [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) is dominated by two distinct cell lineages: myeloid and neuronal. **Overall**, the gene's most significant association is with [alveolar macrophage](/details-cell/CL0000583)s, where it displays a very high Cell Significance Index (CSI: 7.23). This strong and specific expression pattern suggests that [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) is a key functional component of these lung-resident immune cells, likely involved in maintaining pulmonary homeostasis or responding to inflammatory stimuli. Beyond the pulmonary system, [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) is consistently expressed in the central nervous system. It is a notable marker in various cortical interneurons, such as [pvalb GABAergic cortical interneuron](/details-cell/CL4023018) (CSI: 3.38) and [sst GABAergic cortical interneuron](/details-cell/CL4023017) (CSI: 3.04), as well as in projecting neurons like [L5 extratelencephalic projecting glutamatergic cortical neuron](/details-cell/CL4023041) (CSI: 1.98). Its presence extends to other critical neuronal populations, including the [dopaminergic neuron](/details-cell/CL0000700) and [medium spiny neuron](/details-cell/CL1001474). This broad yet specific neuronal expression pattern points towards a role in fundamental processes like synaptic maintenance, signaling, or plasticity across different brain regions. The highly restricted expression to macrophages and neurons implies a specialized function, with low significance in other major cell types like epithelial or endothelial cells. ## Pathways and Molecular Function The functional annotations for [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) align well with its observed cellular roles. As an enzyme with [serine-type endopeptidase activity](/details-go/GO:0004252), its primary function is [proteolysis](/details-go/GO:0006508)—the breakdown of proteins. Its localization to the [extracellular region](/details-go/GO:0005576) indicates that it acts on substrates outside the cell, directly influencing the cellular microenvironment. In the context of [alveolar macrophage](/details-cell/CL0000583)s, this extracellular proteolytic activity is likely critical for remodeling the extracellular matrix during lung injury and repair, clearing cellular debris, or processing signaling molecules involved in inflammation. In the central nervous system, extracellular proteases are known to modulate synaptic structure and function by cleaving cell adhesion molecules, receptors, or components of the perineuronal net. Therefore, the activity of [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) in neurons may contribute to synaptic plasticity and network stability. The annotation for [metal ion binding](/details-go/GO:0046872) is consistent with the catalytic requirements of many proteases. ## Research Directions The dual, highly specific expression pattern of [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) in both lung macrophages and central nervous system neurons opens several avenues for future investigation. ### Proposed Hypotheses: 1. **[OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) is a critical regulator of lung tissue remodeling in response to injury.** Given its profound expression in [alveolar macrophage](/details-cell/CL0000583)s and its function as an extracellular protease, it is plausible that [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) is a key effector molecule in pathological conditions like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), where its activity could either promote tissue repair or contribute to excessive matrix degradation and fibrosis. 2. **Extracellular [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) activity modulates synaptic function and plasticity in the cortex.** Its consistent expression across diverse neuronal subtypes suggests a conserved role in regulating neuronal communication. It may achieve this by cleaving specific synaptic proteins, thereby altering receptor density or synaptic adhesion, which could be crucial for learning, memory, and maintaining network homeostasis. ### Experimental Approach: To test the first hypothesis regarding the role of [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) in lung pathology, a key experiment would involve using a conditional knockout mouse model. One could cross mice with a floxed `Ovch1` allele to a line expressing Cre recombinase under the control of a macrophage-specific promoter (e.g., `Cx3cr1-Cre` or `Itgam-Cre`). These knockout mice, alongside wild-type controls, would then be subjected to a model of lung injury, such as intratracheal bleomycin administration. The progression of fibrosis and inflammation could be assessed via histology (e.g., Masson's trichrome staining for collagen), analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for immune cell composition and cytokine levels, and lung function tests. A significant difference in disease severity between the knockout and control groups would provide strong evidence for the in vivo function of macrophage-derived [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350). ### Therapeutic Potential: The high expression specificity of [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) in [alveolar macrophage](/details-cell/CL0000583)s makes it an attractive therapeutic target for pulmonary diseases. In conditions driven by excessive or uncontrolled macrophage activity and tissue destruction, such as fibrosis or severe inflammation, **inhibition** of [OVCH1](/details-gene/341350) could be a viable strategy. A targeted therapy, such as an inhaled small molecule inhibitor or a monoclonal antibody, could potentially mitigate lung damage while minimizing systemic side effects. However, its role in the CNS would need to be carefully evaluated to ensure that a systemic inhibitor does not cause adverse neurological effects, further strengthening the case for locally administered therapeutics.