TRPC7

TRPC7 is a member of the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channel family, which is a group of ion channels located mostly on the plasma membrane of numerous animal cell types. These channels are best known for their roles in sensory transduction, including sight, taste, smell, and temperature, among others.

Structure

TRPC7 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TRPC7 gene. The protein encoded by this gene is a multi-pass membrane protein and is thought to form a receptor-activated non-selective calcium permeant cation channel. The protein is active alone or as a heteromultimeric assembly with TRPC1, TRPC3, and TRPC4. It also interacts with multiple proteins including calmodulin, CABP1, enkurin, Na+/H+ exchange regulatory factor (NHERF), interferon-induced GTP-binding protein (MX1), ring finger protein 24 (RNF24), and SEC14 domain and spectrin repeat-containing protein 1 (SESTD1).

Function

TRPC7 is part of the TRPC (transient receptor potential canonical) group of channels, which are non-selective cation channels that are activated by changes in intracellular calcium levels. These channels are involved in various types of sensory transduction including thermosensation, touch, and pheromone detection. TRPC7 has been shown to be involved in the regulation of intracellular calcium that is released in response to G-protein-coupled receptor stimulation.

Clinical Significance

Alterations in the function of TRPC7 have been associated with a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. For example, overexpression of TRPC7 has been observed in several types of cancer, suggesting a potential role in tumorigenesis. In addition, mutations in TRPC7 have been linked to familial forms of migraine.

See Also

• Transient Receptor Potential Channels
• TRPC
• Calcium Channels
• G-protein-coupled receptor