Transmembrane protein 266 (TMEM266)

Transmembrane protein 266 (TMEM266) is a protein predominantly expressed in the central nervous system, especially in cerebellar granule cells, where it localizes to the post-synaptic side of glutamatergic mossy fiber synapses[3][2]. Structurally, it contains a canonical S1-S4 voltage-sensor domain—a transmembrane region homologous to those found in voltage-gated ion channels—however, TMEM266 does not form a functional ion channel and its full biological role is presently unclear[2][3]. The protein can form homodimers via its coiled-coil region and is predicted to undergo both rapid and slow voltage-dependent conformational changes, with extracellular zinc ions modulating the slow transitions[2][1]. It is thought to play a role in cellular voltage sensing and possibly transmembrane signaling, but there are no established therapeutic drugs, mechanisms of action, or recognized biomarker or safety roles as of the most recent reports[2][3]. TMEM266 has also been referred to as C15orf27 in genomic databases[3].

Other names

C15orf27