Probably important in the regulation of neuronal excitability. May underlie a potassium current involved in regulating the excitability of sensory cells of the cochlea. KCNQ4 channels are blocked by linopirdin, XE991 and bepridil, whereas clofilium is without significant effect. Muscarinic agonist oxotremorine-M strongly suppress KCNQ4 current in CHO cells in which cloned KCNQ4 channels were coexpressed with M1 muscarinic receptors.
Subcellular locations: Basal cell membrane
Situated at the basal membrane of cochlear outer hair cells.
Expressed in the outer, but not the inner, sensory hair cells of the cochlea. Slightly expressed in heart, brain and skeletal muscle.