Structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 6 (SMC6)

Structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 6 (SMC6) is a highly conserved ATPase and a core component of the SMC5/6 protein complex, which is crucial for maintaining genome stability in eukaryotic cells. SMC6 forms a heterodimer with SMC5, and together with six non-SMC elements (Nse1-6 in yeast, orthologs in higher eukaryotes), it orchestrates key processes in DNA replication, repair, and chromosome segregation. SMC6 enables the repair of DNA double-strand breaks by homologous recombination, stabilizes replication forks, and preserves telomere integrity—functions fundamental to preventing chromosomal anomalies and cellular senescence. The SMC5/6 complex also acts in defending the genome from viral replication and transcription by restricting access to viral DNA. Loss of SMC6 function leads to profound genomic instability and diseases characterized by chromosome breakage, hypersensitivity to DNA damage, and failed cell division. While the SMC5/6 complex represents a potential therapeutic target in oncology and virology, no SMC6-directed drugs or clinical biomarkers are currently established.

Other names

SMC6SMC-6SMC6L1hSMC6FLJ22116structural maintenance of chromosomes 6SMC protein 6

null (No approved drugs; however, inhibiting SMC6 would impair DNA repair, genomic stability, and possibly viral DNA silencing, suggesting synthetic lethality approaches in cancer therapy or antiviral effects could be theoretical mechanisms.)