Details for: TMEM120A

Gene ID: 83862

Gene Type:  Protein-coding  - A gene that serves as a template for producing a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which is then translated into a functional protein.

Symbol: TMEM120A

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000189077

Description: transmembrane protein 120A

Cell Significance Landscape

Associated with

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • skin fibroblast CL0002620
    CSI 10.03
    rCSI 8.65%
    PRS 88.44
  • colon epithelial cell CL0011108
    CSI 8.95
    rCSI 9.38%
    PRS 86.29
  • pro-B cell CL0000826
    CSI 7.37
    rCSI 6.1%
    PRS 90.59
  • CD4-positive, alpha-beta memory T cell CL0000897
    CSI 4.16
    rCSI 2.99%
    PRS 96.93
  • enterocyte CL0000584
    CSI 3.71
    rCSI 5.98%
    PRS 85.95
  • group 3 innate lymphoid cell CL0001071
    CSI 3.54
    rCSI 2.66%
    PRS 92.34
  • midzonal region hepatocyte CL0019028
    CSI 3.41
    rCSI 8.01%
    PRS 86.88
  • precursor B cell CL0000817
    CSI 3.25
    rCSI 2.85%
    PRS 93.23
  • pulmonary ionocyte CL0017000
    CSI 3.01
    rCSI 3.66%
    PRS 92.8
  • cardiac muscle cell CL0000746
    CSI 3.01
    rCSI 4.31%
    PRS 80.61
  • intermediate monocyte CL0002393
    CSI 2.89
    rCSI 4.36%
    PRS 92.84
  • mucus secreting cell CL0000319
    CSI 2.89
    rCSI 4.59%
    PRS 93.64
  • tracheobronchial smooth muscle cell CL0019019
    CSI 2.86
    rCSI 5.05%
    PRS 91.78
  • perivascular cell CL4033054
    CSI 2.84
    rCSI 3.89%
    PRS 92.08
  • alveolar type 1 fibroblast cell CL4028004
    CSI 2.81
    rCSI 3.08%
    PRS 90.25
  • lung macrophage CL1001603
    CSI 2.77
    rCSI 6.19%
    PRS 93.43
  • fibroblast of lung CL0002553
    CSI 2.74
    rCSI 2.55%
    PRS 89.83
  • intestine goblet cell CL0019031
    CSI 2.63
    rCSI 2.33%
    PRS 86.21
  • innate lymphoid cell CL0001065
    CSI 2.56
    rCSI 5.29%
    PRS 83.67
  • foveolar cell of stomach CL0002179
    CSI 2.45
    rCSI 5.22%
    PRS 91.45
  • mucous neck cell CL0000651
    CSI 2.41
    rCSI 3.47%
    PRS 91.93
  • bronchus fibroblast of lung CL2000093
    CSI 2.3
    rCSI 1.87%
    PRS 88.11
  • stem cell CL0000034
    CSI 2.25
    rCSI 2.17%
    PRS 84.33
  • erythrocyte CL0000232
    CSI 2.18
    rCSI 4.95%
    PRS 87.66
  • colonocyte CL1000347
    CSI 2.14
    rCSI 3.07%
    PRS 87.2
  • elicited macrophage CL0000861
    CSI 2.13
    rCSI 1.95%
    PRS 93.62
  • multi-ciliated epithelial cell CL0005012
    CSI 2.09
    rCSI 2.09%
    PRS 83.2
  • hepatocyte CL0000182
    CSI 2.09
    rCSI 3.74%
    PRS 87.68
  • muscle cell CL0000187
    CSI 2.06
    rCSI 4.24%
    PRS 92.57
  • pancreatic acinar cell CL0002064
    CSI 2.06
    rCSI 2.74%
    PRS 91.96
  • astrocyte of the cerebral cortex CL0002605
    CSI 2
    rCSI 4.5%
    PRS 75.3
  • activated CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cell, human CL0001049
    CSI 1.97
    rCSI 3.37%
    PRS 95.44
  • duct epithelial cell CL0000068
    CSI 1.92
    rCSI 2.81%
    PRS 92.41
  • regular ventricular cardiac myocyte CL0002131
    CSI 1.91
    rCSI 11.93%
    PRS 82.12
  • periportal region hepatocyte CL0019026
    CSI 1.87
    rCSI 7.28%
    PRS 86.21
  • endothelial cell of lymphatic vessel CL0002138
    CSI 1.86
    rCSI 3.69%
    PRS 91
  • epithelial cell of proximal tubule CL0002306
    CSI 1.84
    rCSI 4.48%
    PRS 81.77
  • CD14-low, CD16-positive monocyte CL0002396
    CSI 1.8
    rCSI 1.39%
    PRS 91.92
  • cerebral cortex GABAergic interneuron CL0010011
    CSI 1.71
    rCSI 5.04%
    PRS 89.22
  • alveolar adventitial fibroblast CL4028006
    CSI 1.7
    rCSI 2.69%
    PRS 89.67
  • radial glial cell CL0000681
    CSI 1.69
    rCSI 2.35%
    PRS 87.32
  • effector memory CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cell, terminally differentiated CL0001062
    CSI 1.65
    rCSI 8.27%
    PRS 96.08
  • helper T cell CL0000912
    CSI 1.63
    rCSI 2.31%
    PRS 85.17
  • ependymal cell CL0000065
    CSI 1.63
    rCSI 3.31%
    PRS 70.35
  • club cell CL0000158
    CSI 1.62
    rCSI 2.37%
    PRS 84.07
  • granulocyte CL0000094
    CSI 1.61
    rCSI 2.46%
    PRS 93.44
  • stromal cell of ovary CL0002132
    CSI 1.53
    rCSI 4.22%
    PRS 92.36
  • epicardial adipocyte CL1000309
    CSI 1.47
    rCSI 4.79%
    PRS 86.06
  • pulmonary artery endothelial cell CL1001568
    CSI 1.36
    rCSI 1.85%
    PRS 93.73
  • pancreatic ductal cell CL0002079
    CSI 1.34
    rCSI 2.61%
    PRS 90.61
  • lung pericyte CL0009089
    CSI 1.33
    rCSI 3.52%
    PRS 92.91
  • basal cell of epidermis CL0002187
    CSI 1.33
    rCSI 2.35%
    PRS 59.53
  • caudal ganglionic eminence derived cortical interneuron CL4023064
    CSI 1.28
    rCSI 2.25%
    PRS 74.15
  • CD8-positive, CD28-negative, alpha-beta regulatory T cell CL0000920
    CSI 1.18
    rCSI 2.35%
    PRS 95.61
  • CD8-positive, alpha-beta memory T cell, CD45RO-positive CL0001203
    CSI 1.17
    rCSI 1.41%
    PRS 69.48
  • suprabasal keratinocyte CL4033013
    CSI 1.12
    rCSI 1.83%
    PRS 59.05
  • retinal ganglion cell CL0000740
    CSI 1.09
    rCSI 2.4%
    PRS 77.47
  • paneth cell of epithelium of small intestine CL1000343
    CSI 0.88
    rCSI 2.46%
    PRS 92.35
  • forebrain radial glial cell CL0013000
    CSI 0.8
    rCSI 2.57%
    PRS 88.84
  • microcirculation associated smooth muscle cell CL0008035
    CSI 0.7
    rCSI 2.02%
    PRS 87.94
  • group 2 innate lymphoid cell CL0001069
    CSI 0.44
    rCSI 2.37%
    PRS 97.3
  • Cajal-Retzius cell CL0000695
    CSI 0.38
    rCSI 2.96%
    PRS 90.91
  • peptic cell CL0000155
    CSI 0.28
    rCSI 2.79%
    PRS 93.76

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

Explore relationships of the current gene. Select an Interaction Source: 'ONTOLOGY' for shared pathways (GO/Reactome) or 'STRING' for protein-protein interactions. Further refine by selecting context genes and comparing Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores between baseline and target cell types and their specific contexts.

Comma-separated if multiple.
Comma-separated if multiple.
Legend:
  • Query Gene
  • Node Color (Target Cell CSI, relative to current network):
    • Very High
    • High
    • Medium
    • Low
    • Very Low
    • CSI N/A
  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
  • STRING PPI Edge
  • Shared Pathway Edge (ONTOLOGY)

Loading network (please wait)...

Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [TMEM120A](/details-gene/83862) (Transmembrane Protein 120A), also known as TACAN, is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 7. It functions as a mechanically activated ion channel primarily involved in the sensory perception of pain ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2020.01.033)). Additionally, research has identified its role in adipocyte differentiation, localizing to the nuclear inner membrane in that context ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0127712)). **Overall**, expression data indicates that [TMEM120A](/details-gene/83862) is highly significant in a diverse range of cell types, including structural cells like [skin fibroblast](/details-cell/CL0002620), epithelial cells such as [colon epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0011108), and developing immune cells like the [pro-B cell](/details-cell/CL0000826). This broad but distinct expression pattern suggests it performs fundamental roles related to mechanosensation and ion transport across multiple tissue lineages. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [TMEM120A](/details-gene/83862) highlights its importance in multiple, seemingly disparate cellular contexts, suggesting a role in a fundamental biological process rather than as a specific lineage marker. Its highest significance is observed in [skin fibroblast](/details-cell/CL0002620), which is consistent with its function as a mechanosensor in the perception of pain. The gene's significance extends to various epithelial and mucosal barrier tissues. High scores in [colon epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0011108), [enterocyte](/details-cell/CL0000584), [pulmonary ionocyte](/details-cell/CL0017000), and [mucus secreting cell](/details-cell/CL0000319) suggest a potential role in maintaining ion homeostasis, cellular integrity, or responding to mechanical stress in these environments. Furthermore, [TMEM120A](/details-gene/83862) shows relevance within the immune system, particularly in early B-cell development, as indicated by its high significance in [pro-B cell](/details-cell/CL0000826)s and [precursor B cell](/details-cell/CL0000817)s. Its notable expression in other specialized cell types, such as [cardiac muscle cell](/details-cell/CL0000746) and [midzonal region hepatocyte](/details-cell/CL0019028), further underscores its pleiotropic nature. ## Pathways and Molecular Function Functional annotations for [TMEM120A](/details-gene/83862) align closely with its observed cellular expression patterns and established roles. Its primary molecular function is categorized as [Monoatomic ion channel activity](/details-ontology/GO0005216), which directly supports its biological process of [Detection of mechanical stimulus involved in sensory perception of pain](/details-ontology/GO0050966) ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2020.01.033)). This function is likely critical in cells exposed to mechanical forces, such as [skin fibroblast](/details-cell/CL0002620)s and potentially gut epithelial cells. Another key annotated process is [Fat cell differentiation](/details-ontology/GO0045444) ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0127712)). This role is associated with its localization to the [Nuclear inner membrane](/details-ontology/GO0005637), suggesting a distinct function in regulating gene expression during adipogenesis, separate from its ion channel activity at the [Plasma membrane](/details-ontology/GO0005886). The capacity for [Protein homooligomerization](/details-ontology/GO0051260) and [Protein heterooligomerization](/details-ontology/GO0051291) indicates that [TMEM120A](/details-gene/83862) likely functions as part of a larger protein complex at both the plasma and nuclear membranes to exert its effects. ## Research Directions The dual, context-dependent functions of [TMEM120A](/details-gene/83862) as both a plasma membrane pain sensor and a nuclear envelope protein in adipogenesis present compelling avenues for future research. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms that dictate its subcellular localization and functional switch is a key challenge. **Proposed Hypotheses:** 1. Given its high significance in [colon epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0011108)s and [enterocyte](/details-cell/CL0000584)s, it is hypothesized that [TMEM120A](/details-gene/83862) functions as a mechanosensor for intestinal peristalsis or luminal pressure, contributing to the regulation of epithelial barrier integrity and ion transport. Its dysregulation could therefore play a role in inflammatory bowel diseases. 2. The established role of [TMEM120A](/details-gene/83862) in adipogenesis, coupled with its high expression in precursor-like [skin fibroblast](/details-cell/CL0002620)s, suggests it may act as an early gatekeeper in the differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells into adipocytes. It is hypothesized that its expression level in fibroblasts predicts their adipogenic potential. **Experimental Approach:** To test the hypothesis that [TMEM120A](/details-gene/83862) is crucial for intestinal epithelial barrier function (Hypothesis 1), an *in vitro* model using differentiated Caco-2 cell monolayers could be employed. CRISPR-Cas9 would be used to knock out [TMEM120A](/details-gene/83862). The impact on barrier integrity would be quantified by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and paracellular flux of fluorescently labeled dextran under both basal and mechanically stimulated (e.g., fluid shear stress) conditions. Electrophysiological recordings could further characterize changes in ion channel activity. **Therapeutic Potential:** [TMEM120A](/details-gene/83862) presents a promising therapeutic target, particularly for pain management. As a mechanically gated ion channel directly implicated in pain signaling, the development of small molecule inhibitors could lead to a new class of non-opioid analgesics. The therapeutic strategy would focus on **inhibition** of channel activity. However, its broad expression profile necessitates careful evaluation of potential on-target side effects in other tissues, such as the gut or heart. Targeting its role in adipogenesis could also be explored for metabolic diseases, though whether **activation** or **inhibition** would be beneficial requires further study.

Genular Protein ID: 4083707358

Symbol: TACAN_HUMAN

Name: N/A

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

Q9BXJ8 Q86TE9 Q8N6P1

Database IDs:

AGR 1 AlphaFoldDB 1 Antibodypedia 1 Bgee 1 BioGRID 1 BioGRID-ORCS 1 BioMuta 1 CCDS 1 CTD 1 ChiTaRS 1 DMDM 1 DNASU 1 DisGeNET 1 EMBL 4 EMDB 5 Ensembl 1 ExpressionAtlas 1 GO 9 GeneCards 1 GeneTree 1 GenomeRNAi 1 HGNC 1 HOGENOM 1 HPA 1 InParanoid 1 IntAct 1 InterPro 1 KEGG 1 MANE-Select 1 MIM 1 MINT 1 MassIVE 1 NCBI Taxonomy 1 OMA 1 OpenTargets 1 OrthoDB 1 PANTHER 2 PDB 5 PDBsum 5 PRO 1 PathwayCommons 1 PaxDb 1 PeptideAtlas 1 Pfam 1 PharmGKB 1 Pharos 1 PhosphoSitePlus 1 PhylomeDB 1 Proteomes 1 ProteomicsDB 2 Pumba 1 RNAct 1 RefSeq 1 SMR 1 STRING 1 SignaLink 1 SwissPalm 1 TCDB 1 UCSC 1 VEuPathDB 1 eggNOG 1 iPTMnet 1 jPOST 1 neXtProt 1

Citations:

PubMed ID: 15489334

Title: The status, quality, and expansion of the NIH full-length cDNA project: the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC).

PubMed ID: 15489334

DOI: 10.1101/gr.2596504

PubMed ID: 24275569

Title: An enzyme assisted RP-RPLC approach for in-depth analysis of human liver phosphoproteome.

PubMed ID: 24275569

DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.11.014

PubMed ID: 26024229

Title: TMEM120A and B: nuclear envelope transmembrane proteins important for adipocyte differentiation.

PubMed ID: 26024229

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127712

PubMed ID: 32084332

Title: TACAN is an ion channel involved in sensing mechanical pain.

PubMed ID: 32084332

DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.01.033

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 343
  • Mass: 40610
  • Checksum: 7A6E241804F59A96
  • Sequence:
    • MQPPPPGPLG DCLRDWEDLQ QDFQNIQETH RLYRLKLEEL TKLQNNCTSS ITRQKKRLQE 
LALALKKCKP SLPAEAEGAA QELENQMKER QGLFFDMEAY LPKKNGLYLS LVLGNVNVTL 
LSKQAKFAYK DEYEKFKLYL TIILILISFT CRFLLNSRVT DAAFNFLLVW YYCTLTIRES 
ILINNGSRIK GWWVFHHYVS TFLSGVMLTW PDGLMYQKFR NQFLSFSMYQ SFVQFLQYYY 
QSGCLYRLRA LGERHTMDLT VEGFQSWMWR GLTFLLPFLF FGHFWQLFNA LTLFNLAQDP 
QCKEWQVLMC GFPFLLLFLG NFFTTLRVVH HKFHSQRHGS KKD

Genular Protein ID: 2474706093

Symbol: A0A087X266_HUMAN

Name: N/A

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

A0A087X266

Database IDs:

ARBA 10 Antibodypedia 1 Bgee 1 BioGRID-ORCS 1 CTD 1 ChiTaRS 1 DNASU 1 DisGeNET 1 EMBL 4 Ensembl 2 GO 2 GeneTree 1 HGNC 1 InterPro 1 NCBI Taxonomy 1 OrthoDB 1 PANTHER 2 PeptideAtlas 1 Pfam 1 Proteomes 2 ProteomicsDB 1 RefSeq 1 SAM 1 UCSC 1 VEuPathDB 1

Citations:

PubMed ID: 11237011

Title: Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome.

PubMed ID: 11237011

DOI: 10.1038/35057062

PubMed ID: 11181995

Title: The sequence of the human genome.

PubMed ID: 11181995

DOI: 10.1126/science.1058040

PubMed ID: 12853948

Title: The DNA sequence of human chromosome 7.

PubMed ID: 12853948

DOI: 10.1038/nature01782

PubMed ID: 15496913

Title: Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome.

PubMed ID: 15496913

DOI: 10.1038/nature03001

PubMed ID: 24275569

Title: An enzyme assisted RP-RPLC approach for in-depth analysis of human liver phosphoproteome.

PubMed ID: 24275569

DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.11.014

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 369
  • Mass: 42893
  • Checksum: D568CDEC463FED7E
  • Sequence:
    • MQPPPPGPLG DCLRDWEDLQ QDFQNIQETH RLYRLKLEEL TKLQNNCTSS ITRQKKRLQE 
LALALKKCKP SLPAEAEGAA QELENQMKER QGLFFDMEAY LPKKNGLYLS LVLGNVNVTL 
LSKQAKFAYK DEYEKFKLYL TIILILISFT CRFLLNSRVT DAAFNFLLVW YYCTLTIRES 
ILINNGSRIK GWWVFHHYVS TFLSGVMLTW PDGLMYQKFR NQFLSFSMYQ SFVQFLQYYY 
QSGCLYRLRA LGERHTMDLT VEGFQSWMWR GLTFLLPFLF FGHFWQLFNA LTLFNLAQDP 
QCKEWQGCAP QVSQSAAREQ EGLRLGLPLP AQRGFCPVCC GRGWEAPLEC ACIRGSLLFS 
LGFYGRCGP