Sodium/calcium exchanger 1 (SLC8A1)

Mediates the exchange of one Ca(2+) ion against three to four Na(+) ions across the cell membrane, and thereby contributes to the regulation of cytoplasmic Ca(2+) levels and Ca(2+)- dependent cellular processes (PubMed:1374913, PubMed:11241183, PubMed:1476165). Contributes to Ca(2+) transport during excitation-contraction coupling in muscle.

In a first stage, voltage-gated channels mediate the rapid growth of cytoplasmic Ca(2+) levels due to release of Ca(2+) stores in the endoplasmic reticulum. SLC8A1 mediates the export of Ca(2+) in the cell during the next stage, so that cytoplasmic Ca(2+) levels rapidly return to baseline.