Recombinant Human DPP6 protein

DPP6 (Dipeptidyl Peptidase-Like Protein 6), also known as dipeptidyl aminopeptidase-related protein, is a member of the serine protease family that lacks enzymatic activity due to amino acid substitutions in its catalytic domain. It is primarily recognized as an auxiliary subunit of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels, particularly Kv4 family channels, which regulate neuronal excitability and cardiac action potential repolarization. DPP6 modulates the biophysical properties of Kv4 channels by accelerating their inactivation kinetics and enhancing surface expression, thereby influencing electrical signaling in the brain and heart.

The recombinant DPP6 protein is engineered using heterologous expression systems (e.g., mammalian cells, insect cells, or E. coli) to produce purified, functional forms for research. Its structure typically includes extracellular domains critical for interactions with Kv4 channels, while transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions mediate regulatory effects. Recombinant DPP6 enables mechanistic studies of channel regulation, structural analyses (e.g., cryo-EM or X-ray crystallography), and drug discovery targeting channelopathies.

DPP6 has been implicated in neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorders) and cardiac arrhythmias (e.g., Brugada syndrome). Dysregulation of DPP6-Kv4 complexes may disrupt ion homeostasis, contributing to pathological electrical activity. Research using recombinant DPP6 aids in elucidating its role in disease pathogenesis and developing therapeutic strategies. Additionally, DPP6 serves as a potential biomarker for neurodegenerative conditions, with its expression levels correlating with disease progression in preclinical models. Ongoing studies focus on its tissue-specific splicing variants and post-translational modifications, which may refine its functional diversity in different physiological contexts.