Description
Mouse Cystatin-C, also known as Cystatin-3, Neuroendocrine basic polypeptide, Post-gamma-globulin, and CST3, is a secreted type 2 cysteine proteinase inhibitors of the cystatin superfamily, and exerts actions on a variety of cysteine proteases including papain and Cathepsins B, H, K, L and S. As the most abundant extracellular inhibitor of cysteine proteases, Cystatin-C encoded by a housekeeping gene is found ubiquitously in all organs and biological fluids at high concentration levels. It has been shown that Cystatin-C binds amyloid-beta and reduces cerebral amyloid-beta deposition or inhibits its fibril formation in an APP-transgenic mouse model. Thus, a point mutation in this gene (Leu 68 to Gln) hsa been associated with a severe hereditary form of amyloid angiopathy. Studies have also investigated Cystatin-C as a marker of kidney function and thyroid dysfunction prior to creatinine, and could be a useful clinical tool to identify HIV-infected persons. In addition, Cystatin-C expression is up-regulated in malignance of certain tumor progression