Tmem87a, also known as Elkin1 and GolpHCat, is a eukaryotic transmembrane protein. It has proposed roles in protein transport to and from the Golgi, mechanoelectrical transduction pathways, and developmental signaling. It has been implicated in cancers and developmental disorders, making it an important gene for understanding various biological processes and disease mechanisms [1,2].

GolpHCat-knockout mice (KO mouse model) show fragmented Golgi morphology, altered protein glycosylation, and impaired spatial memory, indicating Tmem87a's role in Golgi-pH maintenance and hippocampus-dependent memory [3]. In melanoma cells, deletion of Elkin1 (Tmem87a) leads to defective mechanoelectrical transduction, decreased motility, and changes in cell-substrate and homotypic cell-cell adhesion, suggesting its role in melanoma cell migration and cell-cell interactions [2]. Touch insensitivity in Elkin1 -/- mice is due to loss of mechanically activated currents in sensory neurons, highlighting Tmem87a's role in touch sensation [4].

In conclusion, Tmem87a plays essential roles in multiple biological processes such as Golgi-related functions, mechanoelectrical transduction, and touch sensation. The use of KO mouse models has revealed its significance in conditions like cognitive impairment and cancer metastasis, providing valuable insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.