Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Protein Families02:47

Protein Families

Protein families are groups of homologous proteins; that is, they have similarities in amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures. Protein families usually occur because of gene duplication, where an additional copy of a gene is inserted into the genome of an organism.   Mutations that change the amino acids but still allow the protein to be properly synthesized, will lead to new protein family members.   If these new proteins contain similar amino acids in key locations, protein...
Protein Families02:47

Protein Families

Protein families are groups of homologous proteins; that is, they have similarities in amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures. Protein families usually occur because of gene duplication, where an additional copy of a gene is inserted into the genome of an organism.   Mutations that change the amino acids but still allow the protein to be properly synthesized, will lead to new protein family members.   If these new proteins contain similar amino acids in key locations, protein...
Caspases01:24

Caspases

Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside cells.
Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts01:57

Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts

Groups of proteins may form a complex where each protein in this complex has a different role in the overall execution of the complex’s function. Often some of the proteins in the complex can be replaced by a closely related variant to give a complex that contains many of the same components yet is functionally distinct.
The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order to...
Allosteric Proteins-ATCase01:19

Allosteric Proteins-ATCase

Binding sites linkages can regulate a protein's function.  For example, enzyme activity is often regulated through a feedback mechanism where the end product of the biochemical process serves as an inhibitor.
Aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the condensation of L-aspartate and carbamoyl phosphate to  N-carbamoyl-L-aspartate. This reaction is the first step in pyrimidine biosynthesis. UTP and CTP, the end products of the pyrimidine synthesis pathway,...
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Annexin A6 Modulates the Secretion of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Exosomes via Interaction with SNAP23 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Cells·2026
Same author

Fetuin-A Modulates Tumor Growth and Invasion in a Basal-like Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell line, MDA-MB-468.

Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology research·2025
Same author

Noncancerous Exosomes Establish a Growth Promoting Paracrine Effect on Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Anticancer research·2025
Same author

The Role of Fetuin-A in Tumor Cell Growth, Prognosis, and Dissemination.

International journal of molecular sciences·2024
Same author

Annexin A6 modulates the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and exosomes via interaction with SNAP23 in triple negative breast cancer cells.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2024
Same author

Fetuin-A Promotes 3-Dimensional Growth in LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells by Sequestering Extracellular Vesicles to Their Surfaces to Act as Signaling Platforms.

International journal of molecular sciences·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Creating and Applying a Reference to Facilitate the Discussion and Classification of Proteins in a Diverse Group
07:49

Creating and Applying a Reference to Facilitate the Discussion and Classification of Proteins in a Diverse Group

Published on: August 16, 2017

Cystatin superfamily.

Josiah Ochieng1, Gautam Chaudhuri

  • 1Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA. jochieng@mmc.edu

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
|February 23, 2010
PubMed
Summary

The cystatin superfamily, including protease inhibitors and non-inhibitory proteins, is increasingly linked to human diseases. This review explores their roles in cancer, immune response, and neurodegeneration.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Cystatins are classical inhibitors of cysteine proteinases.
  • Recent discoveries include cystatin-domain proteins without protease inhibitory activity.
  • These proteins, along with classical cystatins, form the cystatin superfamily.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse roles of the cystatin superfamily.
  • To highlight their involvement in tumorigenesis, matrix metalloproteinase stabilization, glomerular filtration rate, immunomodulation, and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • To encourage further investigation into the superfamily's connection to human ailments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on cystatin superfamily members.
  • Analysis of research on cystatins in various physiological and pathological processes.

More Related Videos

The Importance of Correct Protein Concentration for Kinetics and Affinity Determination in Structure-function Analysis
19:16

The Importance of Correct Protein Concentration for Kinetics and Affinity Determination in Structure-function Analysis

Published on: March 17, 2010

Expression and Purification of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
14:56

Expression and Purification of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: March 10, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Creating and Applying a Reference to Facilitate the Discussion and Classification of Proteins in a Diverse Group
07:49

Creating and Applying a Reference to Facilitate the Discussion and Classification of Proteins in a Diverse Group

Published on: August 16, 2017

The Importance of Correct Protein Concentration for Kinetics and Affinity Determination in Structure-function Analysis
19:16

The Importance of Correct Protein Concentration for Kinetics and Affinity Determination in Structure-function Analysis

Published on: March 17, 2010

Expression and Purification of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
14:56

Expression and Purification of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: March 10, 2012

  • Synthesis of evidence linking cystatins to disease.

    • Main Results:

    • Cystatin superfamily members have evolved beyond protease inhibition.
    • Evidence suggests roles in cancer development and progression.
    • Involvement in regulating matrix metalloproteinases and kidney function is indicated.
    • Modulation of immune responses and links to neurodegenerative diseases are emerging.

    Conclusions:

    • The cystatin superfamily encompasses a broader range of functions than previously recognized.
    • These proteins play significant roles in various human diseases.
    • Further research into the cystatin superfamily is warranted for therapeutic potential.