Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C member 6 (TRPC6)

Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C member 6 (TRPC6) is a nonselective cation channel predominantly permeable to calcium ions but also capable of transporting other divalent metal ions such as zinc. It is activated directly by diacylglycerol—a product of phospholipase C activity—and plays key roles in cellular depolarization, signal transduction pathways involving intracellular Ca²⁺ elevation, regulation of vascular smooth muscle contraction/myogenic tone, synaptic development in neurons, and various physiological processes across multiple tissues. Mutations or dysregulation are implicated in several human diseases including kidney disorders like focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, cardiovascular pathologies such as hypertension/preeclampsia, and neurological conditions including epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder. Structural studies have revealed distinct binding sites for pharmacological modulators that could be exploited for therapeutic intervention.

Other names

Transient receptor potential canonical 6TRPC6

Drugs targeting this molecule act primarily by modulating the opening or closing of the nonselective cation channel—either inhibiting or activating calcium influx through direct binding to specific sites on the protein. Antagonists bind to a cytoplasm-facing pocket formed by S1-S4 and the TRP helix; agonists wedge at a subunit interface between S6 and the pore helix.