Cystatin-2

Cystatin-2, commonly called cystatin SA and encoded by CST2, belongs to the type 2 secreted cystatins that guard extracellular spaces against cysteine protease activity. It is produced mainly by salivary and other exocrine glands and is a prominent protein of human saliva, where its expression is modulated by taste stimulation and oral conditions. Like its relatives, it forms tight inhibitory complexes with cathepsins B, L, S, and H through a tripartite binding wedge in its N-terminal region. Recombinant cystatin-2 is useful for studying oral immunity, protease regulation in saliva, and cystatin-protease interactions.