Functional analysis of a pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor-like protein in insects: Silencing effects resemble the human pancreatic autodigestion phenotype

► A Locust homolog of a mammalian protease inhibitor was found and characterized. ► It was localized in the insect's digestive system. ► We showed it was a potent inhibitor of bovine trypsin and insect digestive enzymes. ► A knockdown using RNAi revealed an important role in protection against autophagy.