The mammalian melastatin-related transient receptor potential (TRPM) is a subfamily of the TRP family. The family was named after the first discovered member, melastatin (TRPM1) whose gene was identified in metastatic and benign melanomas1-3.
The TRPM family consists of eight members designated as TRPM1-8 that can be further divided into four pairs: TRPM1 and TRPM3; TRPM2 and TRPM8; TRPM4 and TRPM5; and TRPM6 and TRPM71,2.
The TRPM proteins share structural homology with other members of the TRP superfamily channels; six putative transmembrane domains, and cytoplasmic N- and C-termini. However, due to their long N- and C-termini they are also named the long TRP channel family1-3.
TRPM4 and TRPM5 are the only TRP channels that are permeable to monovalent cations but not to Ca2+.
TRPM4 is expressed as at least two alternative spliced isoforms, TRPM4a and TRPM4b which consist of shorter and longer N-terminal regions, respectively. TRPM4a displays little activity, TRPM4b and TRPM5 appear to be directly activated by an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration4.
TRPM4 is expressed at relatively high levels in cardiac tissues.
Alomone Labs is pleased to offer a highly specific antibody directed against an intracellular epitope of the human TRPM4. The Anti-TRPM4 antibody (#AG1449) can be used in western blot and immunohistochemical applications. It has been designed to recognize TRPM4 from human, rat and mouse samples.
