TASP1

Threonine aspartase 1 is an is_associated_with::enzyme that in humans is encoded by the TASP1 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
This gene encodes an is_associated_with::endopeptidase that cleaves specific substrates following aspartate residues. The encoded protein undergoes posttranslational autoproteolytic processing to generate alpha and beta subunits, which reassemble into the active alpha2-beta2 heterotetramer. It is required to cleave MLL, a protein required for the maintenance of HOX gene expression, and TFIIA, a basal transcription factor. Cleavage of TFIIA has been found to drive is_associated_with::spermatogenesis.

Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been described, but their biological validity has not been determined.

Clinical significance
Taspase1 is overexpressed in primary human cancers and functions as a non-is_associated_with::oncogene addiction protease that coordinates cancer cell proliferation and is_associated_with::apoptosis. Therefore, Taspase1 may serve as a novel anti-cancer therapeutic target.