The protein encoded by this gene catalyzes the conversion of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate to glycerone phosphate. The encoded protein is found in the cytoplasm, associated with the plasma membrane, where it binds the sodium channel, voltage-gated, type V, alpha subunit (SCN5A). Defects in this gene are a cause of Brugada syndrome type 2 (BRS2) as well as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2010]
Forensic Context
A study in humans identified a novel heterozygous nonsense mutation (c.565C>T/p.R189X) in the GPD1L gene that co-segregated with affected members of a family exhibiting ventricular tachycardia, syncope, and sudden death [Huang et al. DOI:10.1111/jcmm.13409]. This mutation causes a premature stop codon, leading to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and functional haploinsufficiency, as confirmed by absent protein expression in transfected HEK293 cells via Western blot, which may disturb the function of the SCN5A-encoded sodium channel Nav1.5 and induce arrhythmia.