Alpha-amylase 2B is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the AMY2B gene. Alpha-amylase 2B is a secreted protein and belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 13 family. It hydrolyzes 1,4-alpha-glucoside bonds in oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, and thus catalyze the first step in digestion of dietary starch and glycogen. The human genome has a cluster of several amylase genes that are expressed at high levels in either salivary gland or pancreas. This gene encodes an amylase isoenzyme produced by the pancreas. Diseases associated with AMY2B include pancreatitis, and thyroiditis, and among its related super-pathways are Metabolic pathways and MPS IIIC - Sanfilippo syndrome C.
