Sentrin-specific protease 6 (SENP6)

Sentrin-specific protease 6 (SENP6) is a cysteine-type peptidase and SUMO isopeptidase that processes and removes SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier) chains, with a preference for poly-SUMO2 and poly-SUMO3 chains, from modified nuclear proteins. SENP6 regulates a wide variety of nuclear processes, including chromosome dynamics, centromere and kinetochore assembly, DNA damage response, protein modification, and cell cycle progression. Its activity is crucial for removing SUMO polymers from specific protein substrates to prevent abnormal SUMOylation, which can disrupt chromosome segregation, spindle assembly, and DNA repair. Abnormal SENP6 function is associated with mitotic defects, cell cycle arrest, increased micronuclei, cancer progression, and genome instability. While several aliases exist, "Sentrin-specific protease 6 (SENP6)" is the most scientifically accurate and commonly used name for this enzyme. No specific drugs currently target SENP6, but its key regulatory functions and involvement in oncogenic processes identify it as a potential therapeutic target.

Other names

SENP6SUMO specific peptidase 6Sentrin-specific protease 6KIAA0797SSP1SUSP1FKSG6SUMO-1-specific protease 12810017C20Rik

Inhibition/activation of SUMO-specific protease activity (in principle, drugs would modulate desumoylation/deconjugation of SUMO proteins from targets)