The protein encoded by this gene is a type II transmembrane serine proteinase that is found attached to the cell surface. The encoded protein may be involved in matrix remodeling processes in the liver. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2014]
Forensic Context
A study in human postmortem brain tissue demonstrated that the TMPRSS6 mRNA was hypermethylated in the nucleus accumbens of subjects with alcohol use disorder compared to controls, with a mean methylation level of 0.419 in cases versus 0.202 in controls [Liu et al. DOI:10.3390/genes13060958]. This finding was part of a broader epitranscriptomic profile revealing 26 hypermethylated and 3 hypomethylated mRNAs in AUD subjects, with many involved in immune-related pathways. A study in mice demonstrated that the TMPRSS6 was commonly up-regulated following Kupffer cell-specific and endothelial cell-specific exposures to α-particles in liver tissue, as part of a broader inflammatory state and acute phase response characterized by distinct gene expression profiles compared to chemical hepatotoxicants [Roudkenar et al. DOI:10.1269/jrr.07078].