Cystatin-C is a member of the cystatin superfamily, specifically family 2, which consists of cysteine protease inhibitors. This protein is ubiquitous in human tissues and body fluids and is primarily used as a biomarker for kidney function. The recombinant form of Cystatin-C, tagged with a histidine (His) tag, is commonly used in research to study its properties and interactions.
Cystatin-C is a small protein with a molecular weight of approximately 14.4 kDa. The recombinant form, expressed in human cells and tagged with a His tag, typically has a slightly higher observed molecular weight due to the tag and other post-translational modifications, ranging from 15 to 18 kDa . The His tag facilitates purification and detection of the protein in various experimental setups.
Cystatin-C functions as an inhibitor of several cysteine proteases, including papain and cathepsins B, H, K, L, and S . By inhibiting these proteases, Cystatin-C plays a crucial role in regulating proteolytic activity within tissues. This regulation is essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis and preventing excessive protease activity that could lead to tissue damage.
Cystatin-C is widely recognized as a reliable biomarker for assessing kidney function. Unlike creatinine, another common biomarker, Cystatin-C levels are less influenced by factors such as muscle mass, age, and sex. This makes it a more accurate indicator of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), particularly in individuals with varying muscle mass .
In addition to its role in kidney function, Cystatin-C has been studied for its potential involvement in cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. Elevated levels of Cystatin-C have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and may serve as a predictor for the onset or progression of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease .
The recombinant form of Cystatin-C, particularly the His-tagged version, is extensively used in research to study its biochemical properties and interactions with other proteins. The His tag allows for easy purification using nickel affinity chromatography, and the recombinant protein can be used in various assays to investigate its inhibitory activity against cysteine proteases .