SLC8A3
Description
The SLC8A3 (solute carrier family 8 member A3) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 14.
SLC8A3 mediates the exchange of calcium ions (Ca(2+)) for sodium ions (Na+) across the cell membrane. This exchange helps regulate the levels of calcium within the cell, which is crucial for many cellular processes. In excitable cells like muscle and brain cells, SLC8A3 plays a role in maintaining calcium homeostasis. It helps return calcium levels to their baseline after they have been increased by the opening of voltage-gated channels. This is particularly important in muscle cells during excitation-contraction coupling, where calcium is involved in muscle contraction. SLC8A3 is also important for neuronal function, aiding in the rapid decrease of calcium levels after neuronal activation, which in turn contributes to processes like synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Additionally, SLC8A3 is required for proper oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination, the process that insulates nerve fibers. SLC8A3 also facilitates calcium efflux from mitochondria, helping regulate mitochondrial calcium levels.
SLC8A3 is also known as NCX3.
