Medical Definition of Cystatins
1.
A homologous group of endogenous cysteine proteinase inhibitors. Four distinct families are recognised within the cystatin superfamily: cystatin b or stefins; cystatin c or post-gamma-globulin; egg-white or chicken cystatin; and kininogen cystatin. The cystatins inhibit most cysteine proteinases of the papain type, and other peptidases which have a sulfhydryl group at the active site.
Pharmacological action: cysteine proteinase inhibitors.
(12 Dec 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Cystatins
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