Cystatin A (CSTA) Antibody – Rabbit Polyclonal

CSTA: This is an intracellular thiol proteinase inhibitor. Has an important role in desmosome-mediated cell-cell adhesion in the lower levels of the epidermis. Defects in CSTA are the cause of ichthyosis exfoliative autosomal recessive ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens-like (AREI). A form of congenital exfoliative ichthyosis, sharing some features with ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens and annular epidermolytic ichthyosis. AREI presents shortly after birth as dry, scaly skin over most of the body with coarse peeling of non- erythematous skin on the palms and soles, which is exacerbated by excessive moisture and minor trauma. Electron microscopy analysis of skin biopsies, reveals mostly normal-appearing upper layers of the epidermis, but prominent intercellular edema of the basal and suprabasal cell layers with aggregates of tonofilaments in the basal keratinocytes. Belongs to the cystatin family.

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 16|16 B3

Cellular Component: cornified envelope; cytoplasm; extracellular matrix; extracellular space; intracellular

Molecular Function: cysteine-type endopeptidase inhibitor activity; endopeptidase inhibitor activity; peptidase inhibitor activity; protease binding; protein binding, bridging; structural molecule activity

Biological Process: negative regulation of peptidase activity