This gene encodes a member of the calcium/cation antiporter superfamily of transport proteins. The encoded protein belongs to the SLC24 branch of exchangers, which can mediate the extrusion of one Ca2+ ion and one K+ ion in exchange for four Na+ ions. This family member is a retinal cone/brain exchanger that can mediate a light-induced decrease in free Ca2+ concentration. This protein may also play a neuroprotective role during ischemic brain injury. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2011].