Cystatin-C is a member of the cystatin superfamily, specifically belonging to family 2 of this group. It is a potent inhibitor of cysteine proteases, which are enzymes that degrade proteins by cleaving peptide bonds. Cystatin-C is involved in various physiological and pathological processes, including tumor invasion, metastasis, inflammation, and certain neurological diseases .
Recombinant Mouse Cystatin-C is typically produced in a mouse myeloma cell line (NS0) and has a molecular weight of approximately 15 kDa. The protein is often tagged with a C-terminal 10-His tag to facilitate purification and detection . The recombinant form is highly pure, with a purity greater than 95% as determined by SDS-PAGE and visualized with silver staining .
Cystatin-C inhibits a wide range of 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 in various tissues and biological fluids. This regulation is essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis and preventing excessive protease activity that can lead to tissue damage.
Cystatin-C is expressed in all human nucleated cells and is found in high concentrations in biological fluids such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine . Its expression is regulated by various factors, including inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. Changes in Cystatin-C levels have been documented in several diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, renal failure, and neurodegenerative disorders .
Due to its low molecular weight and stable expression, Cystatin-C is considered a reliable biomarker for renal function. It is used as an alternative to creatinine for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with chronic kidney disease. Elevated levels of Cystatin-C have also been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality .
Recombinant Mouse Cystatin-C is produced using advanced biotechnological methods to ensure high purity and activity. It is used in various research applications, including enzyme inhibition studies, protein-protein interaction assays, and as a standard in ELISA and other immunoassays . The recombinant form is available in both carrier-free and BSA-containing formulations, depending on the specific application requirements .