The KCNG4 antibody is a tool used to study the potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily G member 4 (KCNG4), a protein encoded by the *KCNG4* gene. KCNG4 belongs to the voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel family, specifically the Kv6 subfamily, and functions as a regulatory subunit. These channels play critical roles in maintaining cellular excitability by modulating potassium ion flow across membranes, influencing action potential repolarization and electrical signaling in excitable cells like neurons and muscle cells. Unlike pore-forming α-subunits, KCNG4 cannot form functional channels alone but interacts with other Kv α-subunits (e.g., Kv2.1) to alter their gating kinetics, expression, or trafficking.
Research on KCNG4 is limited compared to other Kv channels, but emerging studies suggest its involvement in neurological and cardiovascular functions. Dysregulation of Kv channels has been linked to conditions such as epilepsy, arrhythmias, and cancer, positioning KCNG4 as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target. Antibodies against KCNG4 enable detection of its expression and localization in tissues, aiding investigations into its physiological roles and disease associations. They are used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Despite its understudied status, KCNG4's interaction with major Kv channels underscores its importance in cellular electrophysiology, driving interest in further characterizing its mechanisms and therapeutic relevance.