Cation Channel, Sperm Associated 4 (CATSPER4)

By searching databases for sequences similar to the ion transport domain of CATSPER and calcium channels, Lobley et al. (2003) identified CATSPER4. The deduced 472-amino acid protein contains 6 transmembrane regions, a single channel-forming domain with the predicted pore loop and TxDxW consensus sequence, and a C-terminal coiled-coil protein-protein interaction domain. EST database analysis predicted testis-specific expression for CATSPER4. PCR analysis detected CATSPER4 expression predominantly in testis, with low expression in placenta and lung.Lobley et al. (2003) determined that the CATSPER4 gene contains 10 coding exons and spans 12 kb. Mouse Catsper4 contains 11 coding exons and spans 15.3 kb.The mouse Catsper4 gene maps to chromosome 4D3.