CAPN6
CAPN6 (calpain 6, also known as CAPNX, CalpM and CANPX) is a microtubule-stabilising member of the calpain family that is thought to be proteolytically inactive. It is implicated in the regulation of microtubule dynamics and cytoskeletal organisation. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CAPN6 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CAPN6 is a microtubule-stabilising protein that may be involved in the regulation of microtubule dynamics and cytoskeletal organisation. It may also act as a regulator of RAC1 activity through interaction with ARHGEF2, thereby helping to control lamellipodial formation and cell mobility. In cells, the CAPN6 protein is found in the perinuclear region of the cytoplasm and at the spindle of the cytoskeleton.
Unlike most calpains, CAPN6 does not appear to have protease activity, because it has lost the active site residues. It belongs to the peptidase C2 family. Calpains in general are ubiquitous, well-conserved, calcium-dependent cysteine proteases that function as heterodimers of an invariant small subunit and a variable large subunit. The large subunit carries a cysteine protease domain, and both subunits carry calcium-binding domains. The C-terminal region of CAPN6 lacks homology to the calmodulin-like domain found in other calpains. HGNC classifies the CAPN6 gene within the C2 domain containing group and the calpains group. Mouse and rat both have a Capn6 ortholog.
According to NCBI Gene, CAPN6 is highly expressed in the placenta. The protein may play a role in tumour formation by inhibiting apoptosis and promoting angiogenesis. Calpains more broadly have been implicated in neurodegenerative processes, since their activation can be triggered by calcium influx and oxidative stress. Because CAPN6 is proteolytically inactive, its functions are thought to rest on interactions with the cytoskeleton and signalling partners rather than on substrate cleavage.
CAPN6 stabilises microtubules and may regulate microtubule dynamics and cytoskeletal organisation, making it relevant to studies of the spindle and perinuclear cytoskeleton.
CAPN6 may regulate RAC1 activity through ARHGEF2 to control lamellipodial formation and cell mobility.
CAPN6 may contribute to tumour formation by inhibiting apoptosis and promoting angiogenesis, which makes it a candidate for cancer research.
As a calpain lacking protease active site residues, CAPN6 offers a way to study non-proteolytic functions within a calcium-dependent protease family.
CAPN6 is a microtubule-stabilising protein that may regulate microtubule dynamics and cytoskeletal organisation. It may also regulate RAC1 activity through interaction with ARHGEF2, controlling lamellipodial formation and cell mobility. It does not seem to have protease activity, as it has lost the active site residues.
The HGNC gene name is calpain 6, and UniProt lists the protein as Calpain-6. Aliases include CAPNX, CalpM and CANPX. The protein belongs to the peptidase C2 family and to the HGNC groups for C2 domain containing proteins and calpains.
NCBI Gene reports that CAPN6 may play a role in tumour formation by inhibiting apoptosis and promoting angiogenesis. Mouse and rat each have a Capn6 ortholog. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other calpain family members and the calpain small subunit, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9Y6Q1; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.