CST2
CST2 (cystatin SA) is a secreted thiol protease inhibitor belonging to the type 2 cystatins, a class of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in human fluids and secretions. It is encoded by the CST2 gene within the cystatin locus on chromosome 20. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CST2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CST2, also known as cystatin SA, is a thiol protease inhibitor. Like other type 2 cystatins, it belongs to a class of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in a variety of human fluids and secretions, where they appear to provide protective functions. The CST2 protein is secreted, and it is found at high levels in saliva, tears and seminal plasma.
The CST2 gene sits in the cystatin locus on chromosome 20, which contains the majority of the type 2 cystatin genes and pseudogenes. HGNC places it in the gene group of type 2 cystatins. Researchers studying this cluster often compare CST2 with neighbouring family members such as CST1 and CST4 when examining how related secreted inhibitors are organised and expressed.
The cystatin superfamily encompasses proteins that contain multiple cystatin-like sequences. Some members are active cysteine protease inhibitors, while others have lost or perhaps never acquired this inhibitory activity. The superfamily comprises three inhibitory families: the type 1 cystatins (stefins), the type 2 cystatins and the kininogens. CST2 falls within the type 2 group, which makes it a useful reference point when investigating protease inhibition in body fluids, whether through a CST2 antibody, a CST2 ELISA kit or other approaches to the CST2 protein and CST2 gene.
CST2 is a thiol protease inhibitor, so it is relevant to studies of cysteine proteinase regulation in human secretions.
CST2 is found at high levels in saliva and tears, making it a candidate for research on protective functions of these fluids.
CST2 is present at high levels in seminal plasma, supporting investigation of secreted inhibitors in reproductive fluids.
CST2 lies in the chromosome 20 cystatin locus, which holds most type 2 cystatin genes and pseudogenes.
CST2 is a secreted thiol protease inhibitor. As a type 2 cystatin, it belongs to a class of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in human fluids and secretions, where they appear to provide protective functions. It is found at high levels in saliva, tears and seminal plasma.
CST2 is the HGNC symbol for cystatin SA, and UniProt lists the protein as Cystatin-SA. No other aliases or previous symbols are recorded in the supplied data. It belongs to the cystatin family and the HGNC group of type 2 cystatins.
The cystatin superfamily has three inhibitory families: type 1 cystatins (stefins), type 2 cystatins and kininogens. CST2 is a type 2 cystatin, encoded in the chromosome 20 cystatin locus alongside most other type 2 cystatin genes and pseudogenes.
Other cystatin family members, including type 2 cystatins and stefins, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P09228; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.