CAPN15

Calcium-dependent cysteine protease that functions as a non-proteasomal, ubiquitin-directed protease regulating cell adhesion through cleavage of E-cadherin/CDH1. Binds to ubiquitinated proteins via its N-terminal, preferentially recognizing longer polyubiquitin chains including both 'Lys-48- and 'Lys-63'-linked chains. Recognizes the ubiquitinated E-cadherin-catenin complex and cleaves E-cadherin in a calcium- and ubiquitination-dependent manner resulting in lysosomal degradation of the resultant fragment. Plays a critical role in eye, brain and cerebellar development (By similarity). In the developing brain, may regulate transcription factor abundance including PAX2 and PAX5 levels. Additional putative substrates include P-cadherin/CDH3, DCX and TUBB3 (By similarity)..

Function from UniProtKB (O75808), read 2026-09-23. CC BY 4.0.