mca-3 encodes one of three C. elegans plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPases (PMCAs); by homology, MCA-3 is predicted to function as a molecular pump that couples ATP hydrolysis to extrusion of cytosolic Ca2+; mca-3 activity is required for coelomoycte endocytosis, normal coordinated locomotion, and embryonic and larval development; in regulating endocytosis, MCA-3 is required specifically in the early stages for recruitment of the endocytic machinery to the plasma membrane; an mca-3::gfp reporter is expressed from embryogenesis through adulthood and seen in body wall muscle, the nervous system, intestine, and coelomocytes; in coelomocytes, an MCA-3::GFP fusion protein localizes to the plasma membrane.
Predicted to enable P-type calcium transporter activity. Involved in several processes, including negative regulation of cytosolic calcium ion concentration; nematode larval development; and positive regulation of growth rate. Located in plasma membrane. Expressed in body wall musculature; coelomocyte; intestine; nervous system; and touch receptor neurons. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in X-linked spinocerebellar ataxia 1; autosomal dominant intellectual developmental disorder; and nonsyndromic deafness (multiple). Is an ortholog of several human genes including ATP2B1 (ATPase plasma membrane Ca2+ transporting 1); ATP2B2 (ATPase plasma membrane Ca2+ transporting 2); and ATP2B3 (ATPase plasma membrane Ca2+ transporting 3).