Recombinant Human Cystatin-A (CSTA)

Uniprot Id

P01040

Target Species

Human

Target Name

CSTA

Target Full Name

Cystatin-A

Target Function

This is an intracellular thiol proteinase inhibitor. Has an important role in desmosome-mediated cell-cell adhesion in the lower levels of the epidermis.

Target Involvement

Peeling skin syndrome 4 (PSS4)

Target Subcellular Location

Cytoplasm.

Target Protein Families

Cystatin family

Target Tissue Specificity

Expressed in the skin throughout the epidermis.

Target Research Area

Cancer

Target Synonyms

AREI; cstA; Cystatin A; Cystatin AS; Cystatin-A; Cystatin-AS; CYTA_HUMAN; Stefin A; Stefin-A; STF1; STFA

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 kininogens. This gene encodes a stefin that functions as a cysteine protease inhibitor, forming tight complexes with papain and the cathepsins B, H, and L. The protein is one of the precursor proteins of cornified cell envelope in keratinocytes and plays a role in epidermal development and maintenance. Stefins have been proposed as prognostic and diagnostic tools for cancer.