Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA coding for the precursor of the human cysteine proteinase inhibitor cystatin C

Recombinant cystatin C producing clones were isolated from a human placenta lambda gt11 cDNA library. The cDNA insert of one of the clones, containing 777 base pairs, encodes the complete mature cystatin C (120 amino acids) and a hydrophobic leader sequence of 26 amino acids, indicating an extracellular function of the inhibitor. The deduced protein sequence confirms the protein sequence of cystatin C isolated from human urine, but differs in one position from the sequence of the cystatin C fragment deposited as amyloid in hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis.