Gene mapping of human cathepsins and cystatins.

Chromosomal locations of human cathepsin B, stefin A and kininogen have been determined. Using techniques of somatic cell hybrids and polymerase chain reaction, cathepsin B has been mapped to 8p22, stefin A to 3cen-q21, and kininogen to 3q26-qter. Comparing this data with currently available mapping loci, it can be concluded that many members of cathepsins are dispersed in different chromosomes, whereas members of the cystatin family are restricted to only two human chromosomes, 3 and 20.