Kir4.1/KCNJ10
Function
May be responsible for potassium buffering action of glial cells in the brain (By similarity). 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; as external potassium is raised, the voltage range of the channel opening shifts to more positive voltages. The inward rectification is mainly due to the blockage of outward current by internal magnesium. Can be blocked by extracellular barium and cesium (By similarity). In the kidney, together with KCNJ16, mediates basolateral K(+) recycling in distal tubules; this process is critical for Na(+) reabsorption at the tubules (By similarity).
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the inward rectifier-type potassium channel (TC 1.A.2.1) family. KCNJ10 subfamily.
Tissue Specificity
Widely expressed in adult brain, including in the neocortex, the stratum pyrimadale of the hippocampus and the piriform cortex. Expressed by cultured astrocytes and also by cocultured cortical neurons (at protein level). In the distal segment of the nephron, expressed in the distal convoluted tubule, the connecting tubule, and the early cortical collecting duct (PubMed:19420365, PubMed:33811157).
Cellular localization
- Membrane
- Multi-pass membrane protein
- Basolateral cell membrane
- In kidney distal convoluted tubules, located in the basolateral membrane where it colocalizes with KCNJ16 (PubMed:33811157).
Alternative names
ATP-sensitive inward rectifier potassium channel 10, Inward rectifier K(+) channel Kir4.1, Kcnj10