



Ordering Information
| Product Name | Catalog # | UNIT | Price | Qty | FAVORITES | |
cystatin A Double Nickase Plasmid (h) | sc-416374-NIC | 20 µg | $410.00 | |||
cystatin A Double Nickase Plasmid (h2) | sc-416374-NIC-2 | 20 µg | $410.00 |
CSTA encodes cystatin A, a type I cysteine protease inhibitor that restrains cathepsin activity in the cytosol and at the cell periphery, helping maintain epithelial barrier integrity and controlled protein turnover. By modulating lysosomal and extralysosomal proteolysis, cystatin A influences processes such as keratinocyte differentiation, desquamation, and protection from protease-mediated stress. Dysregulated CSTA expression or imbalance with target cathepsins has been linked to altered tissue homeostasis and inflammatory microenvironments, with reported associations in squamous epithelial cancers and skin disorders. As a human cystatin, it is also used to study protease–antiprotease networks that shape invasion, antigen processing, and cell death pathways.
cystatin A Double Nickase Plasmid (h) consists of a matched pair of plasmids engineered for high-specificity editing of the CSTA locus in human cell lines. Each plasmid expresses a Cas9 D10A nickase and a distinct sgRNA targeting opposite DNA strands within CSTA. When directed to adjacent sites on opposite DNA strands, the two nickases generate offset single-strand nicks that together produce a staggered double-strand break, requiring coordinated on-target activity from both guides. The resulting DNA break is resolved by endogenous cellular repair pathways, most commonly through non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), leading to insertions or deletions that disrupt CSTA function. By requiring dual sgRNA engagement at the target locus, the double nicking approach enhances editing specificity and provides a complementary CRISPR strategy for applications where additional control over targeting precision is desired.
To support efficient identification of edited cells, one plasmid encodes GFP for fluorescent visualization of transfected populations, while the companion plasmid carries a puromycin resistance gene for antibiotic selection. Together, these features support efficient enrichment of co-transfected populations and simplify the validation of CSTA-disrupted clones.
For Research Use Only. Not Intended for Diagnostic or Therapeutic Use.