The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the selenoprotein K family. It is a transmembrane protein that is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and is involved in ER-associated degradation (ERAD) of misfolded, glycosylated proteins. It also has a role in the protection of cells from ER stress-induced apoptosis. Knockout studies in mice show the importance of this gene in promoting Ca(2+) flux in immune cells and mounting effective immune response. This protein is a selenoprotein, containing the rare amino acid selenocysteine (Sec). Sec is encoded by the UGA codon, which normally signals translation termination. The 3' UTRs of selenoprotein mRNAs contain a conserved stem-loop structure, designated the Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) element, that is necessary for the recognition of UGA as a Sec codon, rather than as a stop signal. Pseudogenes of this locus have been identified on chromosomes 6 and 19.[provided by RefSeq, Aug 2017]
Fredericks, Hoffmann, Rose, Osterheld, Hess, Mercier, Hoffmann: "Stable expression and function of the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor requires palmitoylation by a DHHC6/selenoprotein K complex." in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol. 111, Issue 46, pp. 16478-83, (2014) (PubMed).