Background
The product of this gene belongs to the family of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. TRP channels are cation-selective channels important for cellular calcium signaling and homeostasis. The protein encoded by this gene mediates calcium entry, and this entry is potentiated by calcium store depletion. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008],
Function
function:Calcium channel mediating constitutive calcium ion entry. Its activity is increased by reduction in extracellular osmolarity, by store depletion and muscarinic receptor activation.,similarity:Belongs to the transient receptor family. LTrpC subfamily.,tissue specificity:Expressed primarily in the kidney and, at lower levels, in brain, testis, ovary, pancreas and spinal cord. Expression in the brain and kidney was determined at protein level. In the kidney, expressed predominantly in the collecting tubular epithelium in the medulla, medullary rays, and periglomerular regions; in the brain, highest levels are found in the cerebellum, choroid plexus, the locus coeruleus, the posterior thalamus and the substantia nigra. Down-regulated in renal tumors compared to normal kidney.,
