TMEM161A is annotated as a protein that may play a role in protection against oxidative stress. According to UniProt, overexpression of TMEM161A leads to reduced levels of oxidant-induced DNA damage and apoptosis, which points to a cytoprotective function in cells exposed to oxidative challenge. The exact molecular mechanism has not been defined in the source annotation, so the wording remains cautious: the protein may contribute to stress resilience rather than being established as a core effector.

The TMEM161A gene encodes transmembrane protein 161A, a member of the TMEM161 family. UniProt lists its subcellular location as membrane, and NCBI Gene describes the protein as predicted to be located in membrane. Researchers studying the TMEM161A protein therefore typically consider it in the context of membrane-associated stress responses. A mouse ortholog, Tmem161a, is recognised, which allows comparative work across species.

NCBI Gene, drawing on the Alliance of Genome Resources, summarises TMEM161A as involved in several processes, including cellular response to UV, regulation of cellular response to stress and response to retinoic acid. These annotations place the gene within broader stress-response biology. The symbols FLJ39645 and FLJ20422 are alternative designations that may appear in older literature or database records, and the HGNC-approved name is transmembrane protein 161A.