Mal - myelin and lymphocyte protein, T cell differentiation protein

This gene encodes a highly hydrophobic integral membrane protein belonging to the MAL family of proteolipids. The encoded protein has been localized to the endoplasmic reticulum of T-cells and is a candidate linker protein in T-cell signal transduction. In addition, this proteolipid is localized in compact myelin of cells in the nervous system and has been implicated in myelin biogenesis and/or function. The protein plays a role in the formation, stabilization and maintenance of glycosphingolipid-enriched membrane microdomains. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2010]