ATP-sensitive Inward Rectifier Potassium Channel 11 (Kir6.2)

ATP-sensitive inward rectifier potassium channel 11, also known as Kir6.2, is a protein encoded by the KCNJ11 gene. It forms the pore-forming subunit of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels, which are crucial for linking cellular metabolism to electrical activity in various tissues, most notably pancreatic beta cells and cardiac muscle. The functional KATP channel is a hetero-octameric complex composed of four Kir6.2 subunits forming the central pore and four regulatory sulfonylurea receptor subunits (SUR1/ABCC8 or SUR2/ABCC9). The activity of this channel is regulated by intracellular nucleotides: ATP inhibits, and ADP activates. Mutations in KCNJ11 are associated with neonatal and type II diabetes mellitus. Channel activity can be modulated pharmacologically, making it an important drug target for diabetes management.

Other names

KCNJ11IKATPPotassium channel inwardly rectifying subfamily J member 11

Sulfonylureas inhibit the channel, while certain openers activate it.