Kir4.1 (KCNJ10) Proteins

Protein Information

The KIR (for inwardly rectifying potassium channel) family of potassium channels possess a greater tendency to allow potassium to flow into the cell rather than out of it. KIR4.1, also known as Kir1.2, is highly expressed in brain including glial cells, astrocytes and cortical neurons. KIR4.1 is also expressed in myelin-synthesizing oligodendrocytes and is crucial to myelination in the developing nervous system. The gene encoding human KIR4.1 maps to chromosome 1. KIR4.2, also known as Kir1.3, is expressed in kidney, lung, heart, thymus and thyroid during development. The gene encoding human KIR4.2 maps to chromosome 21 in the Down syndrome chromosome region 1, and KIR4.2 may play a role in the pathogenesis of Downs syndrome. KIR5.1 forms functional channels only by coexpression with either KIR4.1 or KIR4.2 in the kidney and pancreas.

Synonyms

ATP-dependent inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir4.1; ATP-sensitive inward rectifier potassium channel 10; ATP-sensitive inward rectifier potassium channel KAB-2; BIR10; BIRK1; BIRK-1; BIRK10; BIRK-10; brain-specific inwardly rectifying K(+) channel 1; glial ATP-dependent inwardly rectifying potassium channel KIR4.1; inward rectifier K(+) channel Kir1.2; Inward rectifier K(+) channel Kir4.1; inward rectifier K+ channel KIR1.2; Kab-2; Kcnj10; KCNJ13 PEN; KCNJ13-PEN; Kir1.2; Kir4.1; potassium channel, inwardly rectifying subfamily J member 10; potassium channel, inwardly rectifying subfamily J, member 10; potassium inwardly-rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 10; potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily J member 10; SESAME