Kcnj4, also known as potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily J member 4, belongs to the inward rectifier potassium channel family. It may be involved in various biological processes related to ion transport, which is crucial for maintaining normal physiological functions of cells, such as the regulation of membrane potential. The study of its functions could be facilitated by genetic models [1,5,6,8-10].

In lung adenocarcinoma (LADC), Kcnj4 was significantly upregulated in cancer tissues and cells. SiRNA-mediated Kcnj4 silencing impeded LADC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and knockdown of Kcnj4 suppressed the expression of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal regulated kinase (p-MEK) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), indicating its role in cancer progression [1]. Also, in the context of mycotoxin resistance, overexpression of Kcnj4 was involved in zearalenone (ZEA) resistance by regulating the cell cycle and sustaining mitochondrial morphology and function [2].

In conclusion, Kcnj4 is important for normal cellular ion transport-related functions. Its dysregulation has been associated with disease conditions, especially in LADC where it promotes cancer progression, and in mycotoxin-induced damage where it is involved in resistance mechanisms. The study of Kcnj4 using gene-knockdown models has provided insights into its role in these disease-related processes.