sod-4 encodes an extracellular Cu2+/Zn2+ superoxide dismutase (SOD) that is one of five C. elegans SOD enzymes; genetic analyses indicates that sod-4 is required for redox regulation of a number of processes including axon pathfinding in the PVQ interneurons, insulin/IGF-1 signaling, and vulval development; large-scale expression studies indicate that sod-4 is expressed in the nervous system, intestine, and rectal gland cells; sod-4 transcripts are significantly upregulated in dauers.
Enables superoxide dismutase activity. Involved in superoxide metabolic process. Located in extracellular space and membrane. Expressed in somatic gonad.