Calcium-activated non selective (CAN) cation channel that mediates membrane depolarization. While it is activated by increase in intracellular Ca(2+), it is impermeable to it. Mediates transport of monovalent cations (Na(+) > K(+) > Cs(+) > Li(+)), leading to depolarize the membrane. It thereby plays a central role in cadiomyocytes, neurons from entorhinal cortex, dorsal root and vomeronasal neurons, endocrine pancreas cells, kidney epithelial cells, cochlea hair cells etc. Participates in T-cell activation by modulating Ca(2+) oscillations after T lymphocyte activation, which is required for NFAT-dependent IL2 production. Involved in myogenic constriction of cerebral arteries. Controls insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells. May also be involved in pacemaking or could cause irregular electrical activity under conditions of Ca(2+) overload. Affects T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 2 (Th2) cell motility and cytokine production through differential regulation of calcium signaling and NFATC1 localization. Enhances cell proliferation through up-regulation of the beta-catenin signaling pathway.

• GO:0002407 : dendritic cell chemotaxis
• GO:0090263 : positive regulation of canonical Wnt receptor signaling pathway
• GO:0008284 : positive regulation of cell proliferation
• GO:0016925 : protein sumoylation
• GO:0002724 : regulation of T cell cytokine production

Source: The Gene Ontology Consortium. Gene ontology: tool for the unification of biology. Nat. Genet.. May 2000;25(1):25-9.
World Wide Web URL: http://www.geneontology.org/

• OMIM:606936 : Progressive familial heart block, type IB (OMIM:604559 )

Source: Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, OMIM®. McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD), May, 2012.
World Wide Web URL: http://omim.org/