Transmembrane protein 120A (TMEM120A)

Transmembrane protein 120A (TMEM120A) is a membrane protein that forms a homodimer and binds coenzyme A (CoA) in a deep intracellular cavity[1][2][4]. TMEM120A is highly conserved, with structural similarity to membrane-embedded enzymes of the ELOVL family, implicating a possible but unconfirmed enzymatic role in fatty acid metabolism[3][4]. It is crucial for adipocyte differentiation and systemic metabolism, as knockout in mice leads to lipodystrophy syndrome with insulin resistance[1][4]. TMEM120A was proposed to function as a mechanosensitive ion channel involved in mechanical pain, but structural and functional analyses have failed to confirm inherent channel activity or canonical ion channel architecture, and its role in mechanosensation remains controversial[1][4][5]. The significance of its interaction with CoA remains under investigation but may relate to roles in fatty acid metabolism, CoA sensing, or transport[1][2][4]. TMEM120A is sometimes referred to as TACAN in pain-sensing literature, but its predominant, well-established function lies in lipid biology and metabolism[1][4]. **Key points:** - *Transmembrane protein 120A* is the canonical name; *TMEM120A* is the established abbreviation. - TMEM120A is a validated molecular target based on its biological and disease relevance, though no approved drugs are known to act directly on it. - Its mechanistic and therapeutic classification is evolving, with strongest consensus on roles in metabolism, and limited, disputed evidence for ion channel or nociceptor function.

Other names

TACANTMPITNET29Protein TACANTransmembrane protein induced by tumor necrosis factor alphaion channel TACAN