Potassium channel subfamily K member 1 (KCNK1)

Ion channel which contributes to passive transmembrane potassium transport as well as the regulation of the resting membrane potential in brain astrocytes, but also in kidney and in other tissues (PubMed:15820677, PubMed:21653227). Types dimeric channels through which potassium ions pass in accordance with their electrochemical gradient.

The channel is selective for K(+) ions at physiological potassium concentrations and at neutral pH, but becomes permeable to Na(+) in subphysiological K(+) levels and upon acidification of the extracellular medium (PubMed:21653227, PubMed:22431633). The homodimer has very low potassium channel activity, when expressed in heterologous systems, and may be weakly inward rectifying potassium channel (PubMed:8605869, PubMed:8978667, PubMed:15820677, PubMed:21653227, PubMed:22431633, PubMed:23169818, PubMed:25001086).