In neurogenetics, Kir2.1 is used inDrosophila research to inhibit neurons, as overexpression of this channel willhyperpolarize cells.
In optogenetics, a trafficking sequence from Kir2.1 has been added tohalorhodopsin to improve its membrane localization. The resulting protein eNpHR3.0 is used inoptogenetic research to inhibit neurons with light.[11]
^Raab-Graham KF, Radeke CM, Vandenberg CA (December 1994). "Molecular cloning and expression of a human heart inward rectifier potassium channel".NeuroReport.5 (18):2501–2505.doi:10.1097/00001756-199412000-00024.PMID7696590.
^Kubo Y, Adelman JP, Clapham DE, Jan LY, Karschin A, Kurachi Y, et al. (December 2005). "International Union of Pharmacology. LIV. Nomenclature and molecular relationships of inwardly rectifying potassium channels".Pharmacological Reviews.57 (4):509–526.doi:10.1124/pr.57.4.11.PMID16382105.S2CID11588492.
^Donaldson MR, Yoon G, Fu YH, Ptacek LJ (2004). "Andersen-Tawil syndrome: a model of clinical variability, pleiotropy, and genetic heterogeneity".Annals of Medicine.36 (Suppl 1):92–97.doi:10.1080/17431380410032490.PMID15176430.S2CID7362563.
^Zhang DY, Lau CP, Li GR (April 2009). "Human Kir2.1 channel carries a transient outward potassium current with inward rectification".Pflügers Archiv.457 (6):1275–1285.doi:10.1007/s00424-008-0608-0.PMID19002489.S2CID3120804.
Kubo Y, Adelman JP, Clapham DE, Jan LY, Karschin A, Kurachi Y, et al. (December 2005). "International Union of Pharmacology. LIV. Nomenclature and molecular relationships of inwardly rectifying potassium channels".Pharmacological Reviews.57 (4):509–526.doi:10.1124/pr.57.4.11.PMID16382105.S2CID11588492.
Wood LS, Tsai TD, Lee KS, Vogeli G (October 1995). "Cloning and functional expression of a human gene, hIRK1, encoding the heart inward rectifier K+-channel".Gene.163 (2):313–317.doi:10.1016/0378-1119(95)00244-Z.PMID7590287.
Raab-Graham KF, Radeke CM, Vandenberg CA (December 1994). "Molecular cloning and expression of a human heart inward rectifier potassium channel".NeuroReport.5 (18):2501–2505.doi:10.1097/00001756-199412000-00024.PMID7696590.
Ashen MD, O'Rourke B, Kluge KA, Johns DC, Tomaselli GF (January 1995). "Inward rectifier K+ channel from human heart and brain: cloning and stable expression in a human cell line".The American Journal of Physiology.268 (1 Pt 2):H506 –H511.doi:10.1152/ajpheart.1995.268.1.H506.PMID7840300.
Tang W, Qin CL, Yang XC (1996). "Cloning, localization, and functional expression of a human brain inward rectifier potassium channel (hIRK1)".Receptors & Channels.3 (3):175–183.PMID8821791.
Rae JL, Shepard AR (March 1998). "Inwardly rectifying potassium channels in lens epithelium are from the IRK1 (Kir 2.1) family".Experimental Eye Research.66 (3):347–359.doi:10.1006/exer.1997.0432.PMID9533862.
Jeong JS, Lee HJ, Jung JS, Shin SH, Son YJ, Yoon JH, et al. (November 2001). "Characterization of inwardly rectifying K(+) conductance across the basolateral membrane of rat tracheal epithelia".Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.288 (4):914–920.doi:10.1006/bbrc.2001.5831.PMID11688996.