Solute Carrier Family 8, Member 3 (SLC8A3)

Plasma membrane sodium-calcium exchangers are reversible transporters controlling Ca(2+) homeostasis. The forward sodium-calcium exchange extrudes 1 Ca(2+) for 3 extracellular Na(+) ions, using the Na(+) gradient and the electrical potential across the plasma membrane as an energy source.SLC8A3 encodes a member of the sodium/calcium exchanger integral membrane protein family. Three mammalian isoforms in family 8 have been identified. Na+/Ca2+ exchange proteins are involved in maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis in a wide variety of cell types. The protein is regulated by intracellular calcium ions and is found in both the plasma membrane and intracellular organellar membranes, where exchange of Na+ for Ca2+ occurs in an electrogenic manner.