Serpin B4

Serpin B4, also known as squamous cell carcinoma antigen 2 (SCCA2), is the closest paralog of Serpin B3/SCCA1 and likewise functions as an intracellular, signal peptide-free serpin of squamous epithelia. Its reactive center loop preferentially inhibits chymotrypsin-like serine proteases, including cathepsin G and chymase, complementing the broader cysteine protease profile of SCCA1. Serpin B4 is strongly induced in differentiating keratinocytes, in atopic and psoriatic skin, and in SCCA-positive carcinomas of cervix, lung, and head and neck, where serum SCCA serves as a clinical tumor marker. Recombinant Serpin B4 is used in SCCA immunoassays, epithelial cytoprotection studies, and protease selectivity comparisons with Serpin B3.