This gene encodes a member of the calcium/cation antiporter superfamily of transport proteins. The encoded protein belongs to the SLC24 branch of exchangers, which can mediate the extrusion of one Ca2+ ion and one K+ ion in exchange for four Na+ ions. This family member is a retinal cone/brain exchanger that can mediate a light-induced decrease in free Ca2+ concentration. This protein may also play a neuroprotective role during ischemic brain injury. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2011]
Function:
Critical component of the visual transduction cascade, controlling the calcium concentration of outer segments during light and darkness. Light causes a rapid lowering of cytosolic free calcium in the outer segment of both retinal rod and cone photoreceptors and the light-induced lowering of calcium is caused by extrusion via this protein which plays a key role in the process of light adaptation. Transports 1 Ca(2+) and 1 K(+) in exchange for 4 Na(+).
Subcellular Location:
Membrane.
Similarity:
Belongs to the sodium/potassium/calcium exchanger family. SLC24A subfamily.
SWISS:
Q9UI40
Gene ID:
25769
Database links:
Entrez Gene: 25769 Human
Entrez Gene: 76376 Mouse
Entrez Gene: 84550 Rat
Omim: 609838 Human
SwissProt: Q9UI40 Human
SwissProt: O54701 Rat
Unigene: 283014 Human
Unigene: 208755 Rat
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