Maspin, human recombinant

Maspin is a non-inhibitory member of the serpin superfamily, a group of 40-60 kDa serine protease inhibitors. Maspin was discovered in 1994 and has been identified in prostate, thymus, testis, intestine, tongue, and lung. Recently Maspin received a great deal of attention due to its potential apoptotic role in cancers. Maspin expression predicts a better prognosis for several types of carcinomas including breast, prostate, colon, and oral squamus cell carcinoma. The level of Maspin is also inversely correlated to VEGF-A, an angiogenic factor. Researchers found that Maspin may play its apoptotic role as an endogenous inhibitor of histone deacetylase I (HDAC I). Therefore, Maspin is a potential personalized marker of Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC).