Tweety family member 1 (TTYH1)

Tweety family member 1 (TTYH1) is a member of the tweety gene family of conserved eukaryotic membrane proteins, originally described as a calcium-independent, chloride ion channel restricted to neural tissue. It has five transmembrane domains and is expressed most abundantly in the brain, where it plays roles in early embryonic development, neural stem cell proliferation, filopodia formation, and possibly cell adhesion. TTYH1's function and structure are debated: although some evidence supports its role as an ion channel, recent high-resolution structural studies found no definite proof of ion conductions and suggest functions related to lipid interaction instead. Dysregulation of TTYH1 is linked to aberrant neuronal morphology, invasion and proliferation in glioma, and central nervous system tumors. Broader disease associations include possible implication in neurodegenerative disease and general development. Despite its biological and pathological relevance, there are currently no drugs targeting TTYH1, and its membrane channel function remains a subject of ongoing research and debate.

Other names

Tweety homolog 1Tweety family member 1TTYH family member 1TTYH1Tweety protein 1

No drugs targeting TTYH1 are known or characterized; basic mechanism would likely relate to modulation of chloride channel activity or structural neuronal effects if drugs were found