CASP6
CASP6 (caspase 6, also known as MCH2 and CSP-6) is a cysteine-aspartic acid protease of the peptidase C14A family. It is thought to act as a downstream enzyme in the caspase activation cascade that executes apoptosis. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CASP6 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CASP6 encodes caspase-6, a member of the cysteine-aspartic acid protease (caspase) family. Sequential activation of caspases plays a central role in the execution phase of apoptosis. Caspases are produced as inactive proenzymes, which are processed at conserved aspartic acid residues to give a large and a small subunit. These subunits dimerise to form the active enzyme. Caspase-6 is processed by caspases 7, 8 and 10, and is thought to function as a downstream enzyme in the caspase activation cascade.
The CASP6 gene belongs to the HGNC gene group of caspases, and the protein is classified in the peptidase C14A family. UniProt records its subcellular location as the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Alternative splicing of the gene gives multiple transcript variants that encode different isoforms. Mouse and rat both carry a Casp6 ortholog. Earlier HGNC names for the gene were caspase 6, apoptosis-related cysteine protease and caspase 6, apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase.
Caspase-6 also has a role in virus-host interaction. It proteolytically cleaves the nucleocapsid (N) protein of coronaviruses such as MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. In MERS-CoV, cleavage gives two fragments that interact with IRF3 and inhibit its nuclear translocation after activation. This reduces expression of IFNB and interferon-stimulated genes, and so modulates coronavirus replication by regulating IFN signalling. The same mechanism appears to be used by other coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, to enhance their replication.
Caspase-6 is a downstream enzyme in the caspase cascade, making it relevant to studies of the execution phase of apoptosis.
Caspase-6 is processed by caspases 7, 8 and 10, so it is useful for studying sequential proenzyme processing.
Caspase-6 cleaves coronavirus N protein, and the fragments inhibit IRF3 nuclear translocation and reduce IFNB expression.
As a peptidase C14A family cysteine protease with a two-subunit active form, caspase-6 is a model for studying aspartate-directed proteolysis.
CASP6 encodes caspase-6, a cysteine-aspartic acid protease thought to act downstream in the caspase cascade during apoptosis. It is also reported to cleave the N protein of coronaviruses such as MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, which modulates interferon signalling and viral replication.
CASP6 is also called MCH2, CSP-6 and caspase-6. Earlier HGNC names were caspase 6, apoptosis-related cysteine protease and caspase 6, apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase. Alternative splicing gives multiple transcript variants that encode different isoforms of the protein.
Yes. Mouse and rat each have a Casp6 ortholog, so the gene can be studied in common rodent models. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity before choosing a reagent for a particular species.
Other caspases, including the enzymes that process caspase-6, and related apoptosis targets.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P55212; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.