KCNJ15
Description
The KCNJ15 (potassium inwardly rectifying channel subfamily J member 15) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 21.
KCNJ15 (also known as Kir4.2) is a gene that encodes a protein belonging to the inward-rectifier potassium channel family. These channels are found in various cells and play a role in regulating potassium flow. Kir4.2 specifically allows more potassium to enter a cell than to exit. This gene has three transcript variants, all producing the same protein. Initial research on the channel, originally named Kir1.3, involved cloning it from human kidneys. Studies have shown that mutations in an extracellular lysine residue can increase potassium current significantly. Further investigation revealed that intracellular acidification reduces the potassium current, and activation of protein kinase C can also decrease the current, although in a non-reversible manner.
KCNJ15 is also known as IRKK, KIR1.3, KIR4.2.
