Zhang Hongling, Bai Zhongyuan, Xi Yanfeng
Pathology Department, The Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
Colorectal Surgery, The First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
Front Cell Dev Biol. 2025 Apr 24;13:1519080. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2025.1519080. eCollection 2025.
Kir4.2 is a member of the inward rectifying potassium channel family, encoded by the KCNJ15 gene. The Kir4.2 protein is expressed in various organs including the kidneys, liver, pancreas, bladder, stomach, and lungs. Kir4.2 not only forms functional homomeric channels, but also heteromeric channels with Kir5.1. An increasing number of studies indicate that the function of the Kir4.2 channel should not be underestimated. Kir4.2 participates in cell electrotaxis chemotaxis by sensing extracellular electric fields and functions as a K + sensor in the proximal tubules of the kidney, playing a crucial role in maintaining acid-base and potassium balance. This article provides a comprehensive review of the main physiological characteristics of the Kir4.2 channel, the various pathological processes it is involved in, and the human diseases resulting from Kir4.2 dysfunction.
Kir4.2是内向整流钾通道家族的成员，由KCNJ15基因编码。Kir4.2蛋白在包括肾脏、肝脏、胰腺、膀胱、胃和肺在内的各种器官中表达。Kir4.2不仅形成功能性同聚体通道，还与Kir5.1形成异聚体通道。越来越多的研究表明，Kir4.2通道的功能不容小觑。Kir4.2通过感知细胞外电场参与细胞电趋化性趋化作用，并在肾脏近端小管中作为钾离子传感器发挥作用，在维持酸碱和钾平衡方面起着关键作用。本文全面综述了Kir4.2通道的主要生理特性、其参与的各种病理过程以及Kir4.2功能障碍导致的人类疾病。
