The GluA4 antibody is a specialized tool used to detect and study the GluA4 subunit, a critical component of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors. These receptors, predominantly located in the central nervous system, mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission and play essential roles in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. The GluA4 subunit (encoded by the GRIA4 gene) forms tetrameric ion channels with other AMPA receptor subunits (GluA1-4), influencing channel kinetics, calcium permeability, and receptor trafficking. While GluA4 is less ubiquitously expressed than other subunits, it is particularly abundant in cerebellar neurons, auditory brainstem nuclei, and specific interneuron populations, and its expression varies during development.
GluA4-specific antibodies enable researchers to investigate the subunit’s distribution, expression levels, and functional roles in physiological and pathological contexts. These antibodies are widely utilized in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunoprecipitation. Studies employing GluA4 antibodies have revealed its involvement in synaptic maturation, auditory processing, and motor coordination. Dysregulation of GluA4 has been implicated in neurological disorders, including epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases. Antibody validation via knockout controls or siRNA knockdown is critical to ensure specificity, as AMPA receptor subunits share structural homology. Overall, GluA4 antibodies are indispensable for advancing understanding of glutamatergic signaling and its therapeutic targeting.