short transient receptor potential channel 3 (trpc3) also known as transient receptor protein 3 (trp-3) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the trpc3 gene. the trpc3/6/7 subfamily are implicated in the regulation of vascular tone, cell growth, proliferation and pathological hypertrophy. these are diacylgylcerol-sensitive cation channels known regulate intracellular calcium via activation of the phospholipase c (plc) pathway and/or by sensing ca2+ store depletion. together, their role in calcium homeostasis has made them potential therapeutic targets for a variety of central and peripheral pathologies.