Kir2.1

375916518ENSG00000123700ENSMUSG00000041695P63252P35561NM_000891NM_008425NP_000882NP_032451The Kir2.1 inward-rectifier potassium ion channel is encoded by the KCNJ2 gene.1u4f: Crystal Structure of Cytoplasmic Domains of IRK1 (Kir2.1) channel2gix: Cytoplasmic Domain Structure of Kir2.1 containing Andersen's Mutation R218Q and Rescue Mutation T309K The Kir2.1 inward-rectifier potassium ion channel is encoded by the KCNJ2 gene. A defect in this gene is associated with Andersen-Tawil syndrome. A mutation in the KCNJ2 gene has also been shown to cause short QT syndrome. In neurogenetics, Kir2.1 is used in Drosophila research to inhibit neurons, as overexpression of this channel will hyperpolarize cells. In optogenetics, a trafficking sequence from Kir2.1 has been added to halorhodopsin to improve its membrane localization. The resulting protein eNpHR3.0 is used in optogenetic research to inhibit neurons with light. Expression of Kir2.1 gene in human HEK293 cells induce a transient outward current, creating a steady membrane potential close to the reversal potential of potassium. Kir2.1 has been shown to interact with: