ANO2

ANO2

Target · Calcium-activated chloride channel

ANO2 Anoctamin 2 · Transmembrane protein 16B

ANO2 (anoctamin 2, also known as TMEM16B or C12orf3) is a calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC) of the anoctamin family. It is proposed to contribute to olfactory signal transduction and to light perception amplification in the retina. Browse Assay Genie's current range of ANO2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.

Cell membrane channelCalcium-activated chloride channelOlfactory signalling role
998 aa
Protein length
~113 kDa
Molecular weight
12p13.31
Gene locus
Anoctamin
Protein family
Target information

What is ANO2 (anoctamin 2)?

ANO2 functions as a calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC). In olfactory signal transduction, odorant molecules bind to odour-sensing receptors (OSRs), which increases calcium entry. This calcium activates a CaCC current that amplifies the depolarisation of the OSR cells, and ANO2 appears to be the chloride channel underlying this process. UniProt also notes that ANO2 may mediate amplification of light perception in the retina.

The ANO2 protein is a cell membrane protein encoded by the ANO2 gene and belongs to the anoctamin family, which is the HGNC gene group Anoctamins. NCBI Gene describes ANO2 as a member of a family of calcium-activated chloride channels, a family reviewed by Hartzell and colleagues in 2009. The mouse ortholog is Ano2.

The gene has appeared in the literature under several names. Previous symbols and names include C12orf3 (chromosome 12 open reading frame 3), TMEM16B (transmembrane protein 16B) and anoctamin 2, calcium activated chloride channel. These aliases are useful to know when searching papers and databases for ANO2, since older work often uses TMEM16B.

Olfactory signal transduction

ANO2 is thought to be the chloride channel that amplifies depolarisation of odour-sensing cells after calcium entry.

Retinal light perception

ANO2 may mediate amplification of light perception in the retina, making it a candidate for visual signalling studies.

Calcium-activated chloride channels

As a CaCC family member, ANO2 is used to study how intracellular calcium is coupled to chloride conductance.

Anoctamin family comparisons

ANO2 belongs to the anoctamin family, allowing comparison of channel roles and expression across related members.

Background

ANO2 frequently asked questions

What does ANO2 do?

ANO2 is a calcium-activated chloride channel. In olfactory signal transduction, calcium entry following odorant binding activates its chloride current, which amplifies depolarisation of odour-sensing cells. UniProt also states that it may mediate amplification of light perception in the retina.

What other names is ANO2 known by?

ANO2 is also called TMEM16B and C12orf3. Earlier names include transmembrane protein 16B, chromosome 12 open reading frame 3 and anoctamin 2, calcium activated chloride channel. UniProt lists the protein as Anoctamin-2. Searching under all of these names helps capture older literature.

Is ANO2 conserved in other species?

A mouse ortholog, Ano2, is recorded for the human gene. ANO2 belongs to the anoctamin family of calcium-activated chloride channels. For species reactivity, check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.

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Related targets

Other anoctamin family members and related targets with products at Assay Genie.

Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9NQ90; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.

ANO2 Product listing