Expression, purification and characterization of recombinant human serine proteinase inhibitor Kazal-type 6 (SPINK6) in Pichia pastoris

► We expressed recombinant human SPINK6 without any tags in Pichia pastoris. ► rhSPINK6 was purified by cation-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. ► rhSPINK6 strongly inhibited KLK14. ► rhSPINK6 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against bovine trypsin. ► P. pastoris is a better system to generate active rhSPINK6.