ABclonal Technology Cystatin C Rabbit pAb
This gene encodes a type 2 cystatin, a cysteine protease inhibitor found in various human fluids and secretions, where it provides protective functions. It is the most abundant extracellular inhibitor of cysteine proteases, expressed in nearly all organs. The gene is located on chromosome 20, within the cystatin locus, which also contains genes and pseudogenes for other type 2 cystatins. A mutation in this gene is associated with amyloid angiopathy. Its expression is reduced in vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic and aneurysmal aortic lesions, indicating its role in vascular disease. The protein also has antimicrobial activity, inhibiting herpes simplex virus replication. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding the same protein.