ACCN4

Amiloride-sensitive cation channel 4 also known as amiloride-sensitive cation channel 4, neuronal (ACCN4) or amiloride-sensitive cation channel 4, pituitary or acid-sensing ion channel 4 (ASIC4) is a membrane protein that in humans is encoded by the ACCN4 gene. The ASIC4 protein is a member of the acid-sensing ion channel family that is expressed in the pituitary gland and other parts of the brain. ASIC4 may have lost its ion transport function but play a regulatory role through interactions with other members of the family or other proteins.

Function

This gene belongs to the superfamily of acid-sensing ion channels, which are proton-gated, amiloride-sensitive sodium channels. These channels have been implicated in synaptic transmission, pain perception as well as mechanoperception. This gene is predominantly expressed in the pituitary gland, and was considered a candidate for paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis (PDC), a movement disorder, however, no correlation was found between mutations in this gene and PDC.