Cystatin 8 Rabbit Polyclonal Antibody

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. The cystatin locus on chromosome 20 contains the majority of the type 2 cystatin genes and pseudogenes. This gene is located in the cystatin locus and encodes a protein similar to type 2 cystatins. The encoded protein exhibits highly tissue-specific expression in the reproductive tract, suggesting implicit roles in reproduction. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2013], function:Performs a specialized role during sperm development and maturation., similarity:Belongs to the cystatin family., tissue specificity:Proximal caput region of the epididymis. Lower expression in the testis. Within the testis it is localized to the elongating spermatids, whereas within the epididymis it is exclusively synthesized by the proximal caput epithelium.