SPINK1 and pancreatitis: The SPINK1 gene is usually located on chromosome 5 and acts as the first line of defense against the development of pancreatitis, as it limits the premature activation of trypsinogen inside the zymogen granules of the pancreas by competitively blocking the active site of trypsin, by which the autodigestion of pancreatic parenchyma could be prevented [8-9]. In case of a SPINK1 mutation or alteration, pancreatitis may set in due to the unabated activity of trypsin [10].