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REVIEW article
Front. Cell Dev. Biol.
Sec. Cancer Cell Biology
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fcell.2025.1519080
The physiological characteristics of inward rectifying potassium channel Kir4.2 and its research progress in human diseases
Provisionally accepted- 1The Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- 2The First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- 3Pathology Department, Shanxi Cancer Hospital, Taiyuan, China, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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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. Furthermore, it summarizes the recent research progress on KCNJ15 as a differential gene in cancer.
Keywords: KCNJ151, Inward rectifying potassium channel2, diseasa3, physiological characteristic4, cancer5 Astract
Received: 30 Oct 2024; Accepted: 10 Apr 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Zhang, bai and xi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: yanfeng xi, Pathology Department, Shanxi Cancer Hospital, Taiyuan, China, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.