Kainate-type glutamate receptor subunit GRIK4 (GRIK4)

GRIK4 (Glutamate receptor, ionotropic, kainate 4) is a subunit of the kainate-type glutamate receptors, which are ligand-gated ion channels in the central nervous system. These receptors mediate excitatory neurotransmission by allowing cation flow upon binding glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. The protein itself cannot form functional channels alone; it must coassemble with other kainate receptor subunits (GluK1–GluK3) to create functional heteromeric channels. These assembled receptors are permeable to cations and play a key role in synaptic transmission and plasticity. Variants or altered expression of GRIK4 have been linked to several neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, and intellectual disability.

Other names

GRIKKA1

Cation-permeable ligand-gated ion channel