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Inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels regulate cell resting membrane potential andexcitability.Like many other types of ion channels, the activity of Kir channels transport K+ ions cross membranes through a long central pore.During a process called gating, Kir channel regulation is accomplished by a conformational change that allows the protein to switch between two alternative (closed vs.open) conformation.Kir2.1 channels are uniquely activated by PI(4,5)P2 even in the absence of other proteins or downstream signaling pathways.