Calnexin (CANX)

Calcium-binding protein which interacts with newly synthesized glycoproteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. It could behave in helping protein assembly or at the retention within the ER of unassembled protein subunits.

It seems to play a significant role in the quality control apparatus of the ER by the retention of incorrectly folded proteins. Associated with partial T-cell antigen receptor complexes which escape the ER of immature thymocytes, it may be a signaling complex regulating thymocyte maturation.