The insulin receptor substrate 4 (IRS4) antibody is a research tool designed to detect and study the IRS4 protein, a member of the insulin receptor substrate family. IRS proteins are critical intracellular adaptors in insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling pathways. IRS4. encoded by the *IRS4* gene, shares structural features with other IRS proteins, including pleckstrin homology and phosphotyrosine-binding domains, which mediate interactions with activated receptors and downstream signaling molecules. However, IRS4 exhibits distinct tissue expression patterns, primarily in the brain, pituitary, and thyroid glands, suggesting specialized roles in neuroendocrine regulation or metabolism.
IRS4 antibodies are widely used in molecular biology to investigate IRS4’s function in cellular processes such as glucose homeostasis, cell growth, and differentiation. These antibodies enable detection of IRS4 expression levels, post-translational modifications (e.g., phosphorylation), and localization via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, or immunofluorescence. Researchers also employ IRS4 antibodies to explore its involvement in diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and cancers, where IRS4 dysregulation may contribute to insulin resistance or tumor progression.
Commercially available IRS4 antibodies are typically monoclonal or polyclonal, raised in hosts like rabbits or mice. Validation includes testing for specificity using knockout cell lines or tissues. Challenges remain in ensuring antibody selectivity due to structural similarities among IRS family members. Nonetheless, IRS4 antibodies remain vital for unraveling the protein’s unique signaling roles and therapeutic potential.