cystatin C
Last updated 11 Apr 2022
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The CST3 gene provides instructions for making a protein called cystatin C. This protein is part of a family of proteins called cysteine protease inhibitors that help control several types of chemical reactions by blocking (inhibiting) the activity of certain enzymes. Cystatin C inhibits the activity of enzymes called cathepsins that cut apart other proteins in order to break them down.
Normal function
The CST3 gene provides instructions for making a protein called cystatin C. This protein is part of a family of proteins called cysteine protease inhibitors that help control several types of chemical reactions by blocking (inhibiting) the activity of certain enzymes. Cystatin C inhibits the activity of enzymes called cathepsins that cut apart other proteins in order to break them down.
Cystatin C is found in biological fluids, such as blood. Its levels are especially high in the fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord (the cerebrospinal fluid or CSF).
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
cystatin 3
cystatin-3
cystatin-C
cystatin-C precursor
CYTC_HUMAN
gamma-trace
neuroendocrine basic polypeptide
post-gamma-globulin
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Further reading and references
- cystatin C; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Ghiso J, Jensson O, Frangione B. Amyloid fibrils in hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis of Icelandic type is a variant of gamma-trace basic protein (cystatin C). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1986 May;83(9):2974-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.83.9.2974.
- Kolodziejczyk R, Michalska K, Hernandez-Santoyo A, Wahlbom M, Grubb A, Jaskolski M. Crystal structure of human cystatin C stabilized against amyloid formation. FEBS J. 2010 Apr;277(7):1726-37. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2010.07596.x. Epub 2010 Feb 19.
- Levy E, Jaskolski M, Grubb A. The role of cystatin C in cerebral amyloid angiopathy and stroke: cell biology and animal models. Brain Pathol. 2006 Jan;16(1):60-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2006.tb00562.x.
- Palsdottir A, Snorradottir AO, Thorsteinsson L. Hereditary cystatin C amyloid angiopathy: genetic, clinical, and pathological aspects. Brain Pathol. 2006 Jan;16(1):55-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2006.tb00561.x.
- Revesz T, Ghiso J, Lashley T, Plant G, Rostagno A, Frangione B, Holton JL. Cerebral amyloid angiopathies: a pathologic, biochemical, and genetic view. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2003 Sep;62(9):885-98. doi: 10.1093/jnen/62.9.885.
- Revesz T, Holton JL, Lashley T, Plant G, Frangione B, Rostagno A, Ghiso J. Genetics and molecular pathogenesis of sporadic and hereditary cerebral amyloid angiopathies. Acta Neuropathol. 2009 Jul;118(1):115-30. doi: 10.1007/s00401-009-0501-8. Epub 2009 Feb 19.
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