Psen2 - presenilin 2

This gene encodes a member of the presenilin family. Presenilins are catalytic components of the multi-subunit gamma-secretase complex, which mediates critical cellular processes through cleavage of type I transmembrane proteins including Notch receptors and the amyloid precursor protein. The encoded protein contains eight transmembrane domains and is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, where it may play a role in calcium homeostasis. Following assembly of the gamma-secretase complex, the encoded protein is cleaved into N- and C-terminal fragments and the activated complex is released from the endoplasmic reticulum. Inactivation of this gene results in impaired synaptic function in a mouse model for Alzheimer's disease. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been observed for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Apr 2011]