KCNJ14
Description
The KCNJ14 (potassium inwardly rectifying channel subfamily J member 14) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 19.
KCNJ14, also known as Kir2.4, is a human gene that encodes an inward-rectifier type potassium channel. This protein is an integral membrane protein and is likely involved in controlling the excitability of motor neurons. Two transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene.
KCNJ14, also known as Kir2.4, is an inward rectifier potassium channel, meaning it allows potassium to flow into the cell more easily than out. The voltage at which the channel opens is influenced by the concentration of potassium outside the cell, with higher external potassium shifting the voltage to more positive values. The inward rectification is mainly due to magnesium blocking outward current. KCNJ14 produces low-conductance channels with low affinity to the channel blockers barium and cesium.
KCNJ14 is also known as IRK4, KIR2.4.
Associated Diseases
- thyroid gland adenocarcinoma
- cancer
- carcinoma of liver and intrahepatic biliary tract
- childhood testicular germ cell tumor
