Background：

This gene encodes a member of the degenerin/epithelial sodium channel (DEG/ENaC) superfamily. The members of this family are amiloride-sensitive sodium channels that contain intracellular N and C termini， 2 hydrophobic transmembrane regions， and a large extracellular loop， which has many cysteine residues with conserved spacing. The member encoded by this gene may play a role in neurotransmission. In addition， a heteromeric association between this member and acid-sensing (proton-gated) ion channel 3 has been observed to co-assemble into proton-gated channels sensitive to gadolinium. Alternative splicing has been observed at this locus and two variants， encoding distinct isoforms， have been identified.