Functionally impaired isoforms regulate TMPRSS6 proteolytic activity

TMPRSS6 is a type II transmembrane serine protease involved in iron homeostasis expressed as 4 isoforms in humans. TMPRSS6 isoform 2 downregulates hepcidin production by cleaving hemojuvelin and other surface proteins of hepatocytes. The functions of catalytically impaired isoforms 3 and 4 are still unknown. Here we demonstrate that TMPRSS6 isoforms 3 and 4 reduce the proteolytic activity of isoform 2 and uncover the ability of isoforms to interact. Moreover, we identified 49 potential protein partners common to TMPRSS6 isoforms, including TfR1, known to be involved in iron regulation. By co-expressing TMPRSS6 and TfR1, we show that TfR1 is cleaved and shed from the cell surface. Further, we demonstrate that TMPRSS6 isoforms 3 and 4 behave as dominant negative.