The function of this gene product is unknown; however, homology to other proteins suggests that it may be an integral membrane transporter. MLC1 is a 377 amino acid multi-pass membrane protein that may serve as a non-selective neuronal cation channel in brain. Mutant MLC1 proteins that show impaired folding have been corrected in vitro with the addition of a Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, curcumin. Single nucleotide polymorphisms within the MLC1 gene may be associated with periodic catatonia, but there seems to be conflicting evidence on whether or not the gene is implicated in general schizophrenia.
