TRAF4 (Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor 4) is an adaptor protein belonging to the TRAF family, which plays critical roles in regulating immune responses, cellular stress pathways, and developmental processes. Unlike other TRAF members (e.g., TRAF2. TRAF6), TRAF4 is unique in its structural features, including a conserved TRAF domain, a zinc-binding RING finger motif, and a coiled-coil region. It interacts with diverse signaling pathways, such as NF-κB, MAPK, and Wnt, and is implicated in cell survival, polarity, and migration.
TRAF4 is overexpressed in various cancers (e.g., breast, lung, prostate) and linked to tumor progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance. It also participates in neurological disorders and developmental defects. TRAF4 antibodies are essential tools for detecting TRAF4 expression and studying its function. These antibodies are typically generated against specific epitopes, such as the N-terminal or TRAF domain, and validated for applications like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Commercial clones (e.g., D4G6 from Cell Signaling Technology) are widely used in research to explore TRAF4's role in disease mechanisms or its interaction networks. Selecting a TRAF4 antibody requires attention to specificity, host species, and validation data to avoid cross-reactivity with other TRAF proteins. Its study holds potential for therapeutic targeting in oncology and beyond.