Serine protease which exhibits a preference for Arg over Lys in the substrate P1 position and for Ser or Pro in the P2 position. Shows activity against amyloid precursor protein, myelin basic protein, gelatin, casein and extracellular matrix proteins such as fibronectin, laminin, vitronectin and collagen. Degrades alpha-synuclein and prevents its polymerization, indicating that it may be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease and other synucleinopathies. May be involved in regulation of axon outgrowth following spinal cord injury. Tumor cells treated with a neutralizing KLK6 antibody migrate less than control cells, suggesting a role in invasion and metastasis.
Subcellular locations: Secreted, Nucleus, Nucleolus, Cytoplasm, Mitochondrion, Microsome
In brain, detected in the nucleus of glial cells and in the nucleus and cytoplasm of neurons. Detected in the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions of HEK-293 cells and released into the cytoplasm following cell stress.
In fluids, highest levels found in milk of lactating women followed by cerebrospinal fluid, nipple aspirate fluid and breast cyst fluid. Also found in serum, seminal plasma and some amniotic fluids and breast tumor cytosolic extracts. Not detected in urine. At the tissue level, highest concentrations found in glandular tissues such as salivary glands followed by lung, colon, fallopian tube, placenta, breast, pituitary and kidney. Not detected in skin, spleen, bone, thyroid, heart, ureter, liver, muscle, endometrium, testis, pancreas, seminal vesicle, ovary, adrenals and prostate. In brain, detected in gray matter neurons (at protein level). Colocalizes with pathological inclusions such as Lewy bodies and glial cytoplasmic inclusions. Overexpressed in primary breast tumors but not expressed in metastatic tumors.