potassium inwardly rectifying channel subfamily J member 11

Normal function

The KCNJ11 gene provides instructions for making one part (subunit) of the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels that are found in specialized pancreas cells called beta cells. These KATP channels consist of eight subunits: four of these subunits are produced from the KCNJ11 gene and four are produced from another gene called ABCC8.

These KATP channels span the cell membranes of the beta cells. Beta cells secrete the hormone insulin, which helps control the levels of glucose in the blood, also called blood sugar. Glucose is a simple sugar and the primary energy source for most cells in the body. When blood glucose levels are high, the KATP channels close, which triggers the beta cells to release insulin into the bloodstream. In this way, KATP channels help regulate insulin secretion and control blood glucose levels.

Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome

• Congenital hyperinsulinism

• Permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus

• Schwangerschaftsdiabetes

• Maturity-onset diabetes of the young

Other names

ATP-sensitive inward rectifier potassium channel 11

beta-cell inward rectifier

beta-cell inward rectifier subunit

BIR

inward rectifier K(+) channel Kir6.2

inwardly rectifying potassium channel KIR6.2

Kir6.2

potassium channel, inwardly rectifying subfamily J, member 11

potassium channel, inwardly rectifying, BIR subunit