The K_ir2.6 also known as inward rectifier potassium channel 18 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KCNJ18 gene

Gene

A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...

. K_ir2.6 is an inward-rectifier potassium ion channel

Inward-rectifier potassium ion channel

Inwardly rectifying potassium channels are a specific subset of potassium selective ion channels. To date, seven subfamilies have been identified in various mammalian cell types...

.

Function

Inwardly rectifying potassium channels, such as K_ir2.6, maintain resting membrane potential in excitable cells and aid in repolarization of cells following depolarization. K_ir2.6 is primarily expressed in skeletal muscle and is transcriptionally regulated by thyroid hormone

Thyroid hormone

The thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine , are tyrosine-based hormones produced by the thyroid gland primarily responsible for regulation of metabolism. An important component in the synthesis of thyroid hormones is iodine. The major form of thyroid hormone in the blood is thyroxine ,...

.

Clinical signifiance

Mutations in this gene have been linked to thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a condition featuring attacks of muscle weakness in the presence of hyperthyroidism . Hypokalemia is usually present during attacks...

.