Kir6.2 is a member of the inward rectifier K+ channels (Kir channels), a large family of voltage-independent K+ channels largely involved in stabilization of the membrane resting potential and in K+ transport across membranes. Kir channels can be modulated by a variety of intracellular agents such as protons, GTP-binding proteins and adenine nucleotides.The ATP-sensitive channel (KATP) is especially important since it couples cellular metabolism (intracellular ATP levels) with cell excitability. KATP channels have been described in pancreatic b-cells, neurons, heart, skeletal and smooth muscle
