CALHM1

Calcium homeostasis modulator 1 (CALHM1) is a pore-forming subunit of a is_associated_with::voltage-gated ion channel that in humans is encoded by the CALHM1 is_associated_with::gene.

Central nervous system
CALHM1 was identified by a tissue-specific gene expression profiling approach that screened for genes located on susceptibility loci for late-onset is_associated_with::Alzheimer's disease (AD) and that are preferentially expressed in the hippocampus, a brain region affected early in AD. CALHM1 is a plasma membrane calcium-permeable is_associated_with::ion channel regulated by voltage and extracellular calcium levels. The exact function of CALHM1 in the brain is not completely understood, but studies have shown that CALHM1 controls neuronal intracellular calcium homeostasis and signaling, as well as calcium-dependent neuronal excitability. Recent data have also shown that CALHM1 might facilitate the is_associated_with::proteolytic degradation of the cerebral is_associated_with::amyloid beta peptide, a culprit in AD is_associated_with::pathogenesis.

Peripheral taste system
CALHM1 is expressed in is_associated_with::taste bud cells where it controls is_associated_with::purinergic receptor-mediated taste transduction in the is_associated_with::gustatory system.