The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the serpin family of serine protease inhibitors. The encoded protein inhibits the activity of cathepsin K and is itself transcriptionally repressed by RUNX1. This gene is downregulated in many types of cancer. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2017]
Forensic Context
A study in humans developed a multiplex RT-PCR assay for vaginal fluid identification, where the SERPINB13 was detected in 32 of 36 vaginal fluid samples (88.9% sensitivity) and showed no cross-reactivity in other tested body fluids, with a cutoff set at the limit of detection [Akutsu et al. DOI:10.1016/j.legalmed.2020.101715]. A separate human study using a massively parallel sequencing assay for mixture deconvolution identified the SERPINB13 as a vaginal secretion marker, though it was also detected in saliva and one skin sample, and was used to associate body fluid origin with a specific donor [Liu et al. DOI:10.1016/j.fsigen.2024.103066].