Kir23s

Kir23s refers to a hypothetical or speculative potassium channel subtype that has been proposed in certain scientific discussions, though it is not yet officially recognized in standard channel nomenclature. Potassium channels are a diverse group of membrane proteins that facilitate the movement of potassium ions (K⁺) across cell membranes, playing critical roles in cellular excitability, signaling, and homeostasis. They are classified into several families based on structure and function, including two-pore domain (K2P), inward rectifier (Kir), calcium-activated (BK, SK, IK), and voltage-gated (Kv) channels.

The designation "Kir23s" has occasionally appeared in research literature as a placeholder or a proposed nomenclature for a potential subfamily within the inward rectifier potassium channel (Kir) family. The Kir family, which includes channels like Kir2.1 (also known as KCNJ2), is characterized by their ability to conduct potassium ions more readily in the inward (negative) direction than outward (positive) direction under physiological conditions. These channels are essential for maintaining resting membrane potential and regulating cell volume.

While the Kir23s label has been used in some studies to describe putative channels with distinct biophysical properties, such as unique gating mechanisms or tissue-specific expression, no consensus exists regarding its validity. Standardized channel nomenclature is governed by the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) and the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Pharmacology (NC-IUPHAR), which classify potassium channels based on sequence homology, functional characteristics, and pharmacological profiles. As of current knowledge, there is no widely accepted Kir23s channel subtype in official classifications.

Further research may clarify whether such a channel exists or if it represents a misclassification or artifact in experimental data. Until then, the term remains speculative and should be used cautiously in scientific discourse.