Anti-GluA4 (phospho S862) antibody

Supplementary info

Activity summary

The protein GluA4 also known as GluR4 or AMPA receptor subunit 4 plays a critical role in synaptic transmission. This receptor belongs to the family of ionotropic glutamate receptors which are activated by the neurotransmitter glutamate. As part of the AMPA receptor complex GluA4 contributes to the fast synaptic responses in the central nervous system. The GluA4 protein has a molecular mass of approximately 100 kDa and is prominently expressed in the brain particularly in the cerebellum and cortex although expression can vary by specific neuronal populations.

Biological function summary

GluA4 functions as an integral component of the AMPA receptor complex which mediates synaptic plasticity and strength. AMPA receptors like GluA4 facilitate the influx of sodium and calcium ions upon glutamate binding essential for long-term potentiation a cellular process playing an important role in learning and memory. GluA4 forms tetrameric complexes that co-assemble with other AMPA receptor subunits such as GluA1 GluA2 and GluA3 providing diversity in the receptor properties.

Pathways

GluA4 is embedded within the glutamatergic signaling pathways important for synaptic transmission and plasticity. It plays a part in the long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) pathways both of which involve calcium-dependent signaling cascades. These pathways often overlap with the functions of other proteins such as NMDA receptors which also bind glutamate and help regulate the same synaptic responses.

Associated diseases and disorders

GluA4 has associations with neurological conditions like epilepsy and schizophrenia. Its dysregulation in AMPA receptor-mediated pathways may contribute to aberrant synaptic transmission observed in these disorders. GluA4 works in conjunction with other receptor subunits and related proteins like PSD-95 which further connects it to the synaptic architecture and signaling alterations seen in these conditions.