Human Caspase 6,CASP6 ELI

Cysteine protease that plays essential roles in programmed cell death, axonal degeneration, development and innate immunity (PubMed:8663580, PubMed:32298652).

During apoptosis, localizes in the nucleus and cleaves the nuclear structural protein NUMA1 and lamin A/LMNA thereby inducing nuclear shrinkage and fragmentation (PubMed:17401638, PubMed:8663580, PubMed:9463409).

Furthermore, cleaves many transcription factors such as NF-kappa-B and cAMP response element-binding protein/CREBBP (PubMed:10559921, PubMed:14657026).

Plays an essential role in axon degeneration during axon pruning which is the remodeling of axons during neurogenesis but not apoptosis (By similarity).

Regulates B-cell programs both during early development and after antigen stimulation (By similarity).

In addition, promotes the ZBP1-mediated activation of programmed cell death pathways including pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis (PANoptosis) and plays an essential role in defense against viruses (PubMed:32298652).

Mechanistically, interacts with RIPK3 and enhances the interaction between RIPK3 and ZBP1, leading to ZBP1-mediated inflammasome activation and cell death (PubMed:32298652).

{ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:O08738, ECO:0000269|PubMed:10559921, ECO:0000269|PubMed:14657026, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17401638, ECO:0000269|PubMed:32298652, ECO:0000269|PubMed:8663580, ECO:0000269|PubMed:9463409}.