KLK6
Description
The KLK6 (kallikrein related peptidase 6) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 19.
KLK6 is a protein encoded by the KLK6 gene in humans. It is also known as neurosin, protease M, hK6, or zyme. KLK6 is a 223 amino acid sequence derived from its original 244 amino acid sequence, which contains a 16 residue presignal and a 5 residue activation peptide. Kallikreins are a subgroup of serine proteases with diverse physiological functions, and many are implicated in carcinogenesis. KLK6 is one of fifteen kallikrein subfamily members located on chromosome 19. The encoded enzyme is regulated by steroid hormones. In tissue culture, the enzyme has been found to generate amyloidogenic fragments from the amyloid precursor protein, suggesting a potential role in Alzheimer's disease. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants that encode different isoforms have been identified for this gene. The secondary structure of KLK6 consists of 13 beta-pleated sheets, 2 alpha-helices, 2 310-helices, and 8 loop regions.
KLK6 is a serine protease that exhibits a preference for arginine over lysine in the substrate P1 position and for serine or proline in the P2 position. It has been shown to have activity against amyloid precursor protein, myelin basic protein, gelatin, casein, and extracellular matrix proteins such as fibronectin, laminin, vitronectin, and collagen. KLK6 degrades alpha-synuclein and prevents its polymerization, suggesting a potential role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies. It may also be involved in regulating axon outgrowth following spinal cord injury. Tumor cells treated with a neutralizing KLK6 antibody migrate less than control cells, suggesting a potential role in invasion and metastasis.
KLK6 is also known as Bssp, Klk7, PRSS18, PRSS9, SP59, hK6.
