unc-105 encodes a muscle degenerin, a mechanosensory membrane channel that is a member of the degenerin ion channel superfamily and similar to subunits of the mammalian amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC, OMIM:600761); UNC-105 is required for normal growth and for normal contraction and organization of muscle, where it is expressed; UNC-105 interacts with LET-2, an alpha2 chain of type IV collagen that is also expressed by muscle and localized to the basement membrane between muscle and hypodermis.
Enables monoatomic ion channel activity. Involved in calcium ion transport; magnesium ion transport; and muscle organ development. Predicted to be located in membrane. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in bronchiectasis (multiple) and renal tubular transport disease (multiple). Is an ortholog of human SCNN1B (sodium channel epithelial 1 subunit beta); SCNN1D (sodium channel epithelial 1 subunit delta); and SCNN1G (sodium channel epithelial 1 subunit gamma).