KCNJ16
Description
The KCNJ16 (potassium inwardly rectifying channel subfamily J member 16) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 17.
The KCNJ16 gene encodes the Kir5.1 protein, an integral membrane protein that functions as an inward-rectifier potassium channel. Kir5.1 allows potassium to flow more easily into the cell than out, and it can form heterodimers with other inward-rectifier potassium channels. It may be involved in regulating fluid and pH balance. Three transcript variants for this gene have been identified, all encoding the same protein.
Inward rectifier potassium channels are characterized by a greater tendency to allow potassium to flow into the cell rather than out of it. Their voltage dependence is regulated by the concentration of extracellular potassium, with channel opening shifting to more positive voltages as external potassium increases. The inward rectification is primarily due to the blockage of outward current by internal magnesium. KCNJ16 may play a role in regulating fluid and pH balance. In the kidney, it collaborates with KCNJ10 to mediate basolateral potassium recycling in distal tubules, a process crucial for sodium reabsorption in these tubules.
KCNJ16 is also known as BIR9, HKTD, KIR5.1.
