Renal Outer Medullary Potassium Channel (ROMK)

Renal Outer Medullary Potassium Channel (ROMK), encoded by the KCNJ1 gene, is an inwardly rectifying potassium channel primarily expressed in the kidney. It plays a crucial role in potassium secretion and recycling within the nephron, contributing to overall potassium homeostasis. ROMK is a target for novel diuretics and antihypertensive drugs that aim to avoid hypokalemia. Dysfunction of ROMK is associated with Bartter syndrome type II and hypertension. It has also been identified as a component of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ channels involved in cardioprotection during ischemia-reperfusion injury and neuroprotection during hypoxia/stroke events.

Other names

KCNJ1Kir1.1potassium inwardly rectifying channel subfamily J member 1potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily J member 1

Selective inhibition of ROMK to modulate renal salt handling without excessive potassium loss.