Recombinant Human Cystatin-M (CST6)

Uniprot Id

Q15828

Target Species

Human

Target Name

CST6

Target Full Name

Cystatin-M

Target Function

High affinity inhibitor for cathepsin L, cathepsin L2 (cathepsin V), and legumain. Involved in the regulation of epidermal cornification, and hair follicle morphogenesis and maintenance.

Target Subcellular Location

Secreted.

Target Protein Families

Cystatin family

Target Tissue Specificity

Restricted to the stratum granulosum of normal skin, the stratum granulosum/spinosum of psoriatic skin, and the secretory coils of eccrine sweat glands. Low expression levels are found in the nasal cavity.

Target Synonyms

CST 6; CST6; Cystatin 6; Cystatin E; Cystatin E/M; Cystatin M; Cystatin M/E; Cystatin-6; Cystatin-E; Cystatin-M; Cystatin6; CystatinE; CystatinM; Cysteine proteinase inhibitor; CYTM_HUMAN

Target Background

The cystatin superfamily encompasses proteins that contain multiple cystatin-like sequences. Some of the members are active cysteine protease inhibitors, while others have lost or perhaps never acquired this inhibitory activity. There are three inhibitory families in the superfamily, including the type 1 cystatins (stefins), type 2 cystatins and the kininogens. The type 2 cystatin proteins are a class of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in a variety of human fluids and secretions, where they appear to provide protective functions. This gene encodes a cystatin from the type 2 family, which is down-regulated in metastatic breast tumor cells as compared to primary tumor cells. Loss of expression is likely associated with the progression of a primary tumor to a metastatic phenotype.