CACNA2D3
Description
The CACNA2D3 (calcium voltage-gated channel auxiliary subunit alpha2delta 3) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 3.
CACNA2D3, located on chromosome 3 (3p21.1), encodes the alpha-2/delta subunit 3 of the voltage-dependent calcium channel complex. This protein is crucial for regulating calcium influx into cells, a process that is essential for various cellular functions. It interacts with other subunits (alpha-1, beta, and gamma) to form a functional calcium channel. Research suggests the protein is cleaved into alpha-2 and delta subunits. While alternative splice variants of CACNA2D3 exist, they are not fully characterized. Importantly, altered methylation patterns of CACNA2D3 have been linked to various cancers, particularly breast and gastric cancers. Methylation-mediated silencing of CACNA2D3 might contribute to cancer metastasis and progression, making it a potential biomarker for cancer risk and prognosis.
CACNA2D3, the alpha-2/delta subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels, plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of calcium ions into cells. This protein influences the strength and timing of calcium currents, impacting the activation and inactivation kinetics of the calcium channel. Notably, CACNA2D3 acts as a regulatory subunit for specific types of calcium channels, including the P/Q-type (CACNA1A), N-type (CACNA1B), and L-type (CACNA1C or CACNA1D), but not the T-type (CACNA1G).
CACNA2D3 is also known as HSA272268.
