Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily V, Member 6 (TRPV6)

TRPV6 is a member of the Transient receptor potential (TRP) family of membrane proteins. Unlike most TRP channels, TRPV6 is selective for Ca2+ ions, similarly to its close homologue, TRPV5, which is mainly expressed in the kidney, and plays a role in Ca2+ reabsorption.Expression of TRPV6 appears to be vitamin D dependent as it is greatly reduced in animals that do not express the vitamin D receptor. Importantly, vitamin D treatment of colon cancer cells, Caco-2, also increases expression of TRPV6 gene. Vitamin D treatment of these cells also increases transport of calcium, probably via increasing TRPV6 expression.The TRPV6 calcium transporter also found in the human placenta, pancreas and prostate gland and in some species in the kidney where the related channel TRPV5 is strongly expressed.