TRPM6

Abstract

TRPM6 is a bifunctional protein comprising a TRP cation channel segment covalently linked to an α-type serine/threonine protein kinase. TRPM6 is expressed in the intestinal and renal epithelial cells. Loss-of-function mutations in the human TRPM6 gene give rise to hypomagnesemia with secondary hypo-calcemia (HSH), suggesting that the TRPM6 channel kinase plays a central role in systemic Mg 2+ homeostasis. In contrast, Trpm6 null mice show a delay in prenatal development, neural tube defects, and prenatal death. Possible functions of TRPM6 in prenatal and adult organisms will be discussed in this chapter.