{{Infobox gene}}
Grik4 Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Gene Symbol | GRIK4 |
| Full Name | Glutamate Ionotropic Kainate Type Subunit 4 |
| Chromosomal Location | 21q22.11 |
| NCBI Gene ID | 2899 |
| OMIM ID | 604153 |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000160225 |
| UniProt ID | Q16479 |
GRIK4 (Glutamate Ionotropic Kainate Type Subunit 4), also known as GluR8 or KA1, encodes a subunit of the kainate family of ionotropic glutamate receptors. The GRIK4 gene is located on chromosome 21q22.11 and encodes a protein of 956 amino acids. GRIK4 is involved in excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system and has been implicated in epilepsy, depression, and other neurological conditions.
GRIK4 is unique among kainate receptor subunits because it has extremely high affinity for glutamate, even higher than other high-affinity subunits like GRIK5 (KA1). This makes it a critical regulator of neuronal excitability even at very low glutamate concentrations.
The GRIK4 protein (GluR8/KA1) has distinctive structural features:
GRIK4 is linked to several neurological disorders:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Association | Idiopathic generalized epilepsy |
| Mutations | Loss-of-function variants identified |
| Mechanism | Altered channel function |
Evidence:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Evidence | Expression altered in depression models |
| Role | Possible mood disorder involvement |
| Mechanism | Glutamatergic signaling modulation |
The study of Grik4 Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
Gene information last updated: 2026-03-04