ENaC-alpha
Sodium permeable non-voltage-sensitive ion channel inhibited by the diuretic amiloride. Mediates the electrodiffusion of the luminal sodium (and water, which follows osmotically) through the apical membrane of epithelial cells. Plays an essential role in electrolyte and blood pressure homeostasis, but also in airway surface liquid homeostasis, which is important for proper clearance of mucus. Controls the reabsorption of sodium in kidney, colon, lung and eccrine sweat glands. Also plays a role in taste perception. Belongs to the amiloride-sensitive sodium channel (TC 1.A.6) family. SCNN1A subfamily. Expressed in the female reproductive tract, from the fimbrial end of the fallopian tube to the endometrium (at protein level) (PubMed:22207244). Expressed in kidney (at protein level). In the respiratory tract, expressed in the bronchial epithelium (at protein level). Highly expressed in lung. Detected at intermediate levels in pancreas and liver, and at low levels in heart and placenta (PubMed:22207244). in skin, expressed in keratinocytes, melanocytes and Merkel cells of the epidermal sub-layers, stratum basale, stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum (at protein level) (PubMed:28130590). Expressed in the outer root sheath of the hair follicles (at protein level) (PubMed:28130590). Detected in both peripheral and central cells of the sebaceous gland (at protein level) (PubMed:28130590). Expressed by eccrine sweat glands (at protein level) (PubMed:28130590). In skin, also expressed by arrector pili muscle cells and intradermal adipocytes (PubMed:28130590). Isoform 1 and isoform 2 predominate in all tissues. Expression of isoform 3, isoform 4 and isoform 5 is very low or not detectable, except in lung and heart (PubMed:9575806). 6 alternatively spliced human isoforms have been reported. Note: This description may include information from UniProtKB.
Protein type: Channel, sodium; Membrane protein, integral; Membrane protein, multi-pass; Transporter, ion channel
Biological Process: cellular response to acidic pH; cellular response to aldosterone; cellular response to vasopressin; intracellular sodium ion homeostasis; multicellular organismal-level water homeostasis; regulation of blood pressure; sensory perception of salty taste; sensory perception of sour taste; sodium ion homeostasis; sodium ion import across plasma membrane; sodium ion transmembrane transport
