Serpin B12

Serpin B12, or proteinase inhibitor 12 (PI12), is an intracellular clade B serpin whose gene lies in the SERPINB cluster at chromosome 18q21.3. It is expressed predominantly in liver and kidney, with lower levels in testis and epithelial tissues. Like other members of the cluster, its specific substrate remains unconfirmed; available evidence points to a housekeeping role in restraining intracellular serine protease activity that could otherwise trigger apoptosis. Differential expression of SERPINB12 has been observed in hepatocellular carcinoma and in psoriatic skin, hinting at context-dependent regulation. Recombinant Serpin B12 supports proteomics screens and antibody validation for this understudied paralog.