KCNK13 (also named Tandem pore domain halotane inhibited K⁺ channel, THIK -1 or K_2P13.1) is a member of the 2-pore (2P) domain K⁺ channels family that currently includes 16 members. These channels show little time- or voltage-dependence and are considered to be “leak” or “background” K⁺ channels, thereby generating background currents which help set the membrane resting potential and cell excitation.¹

The K_2P channels have a signature topology that includes four transmembrane domains and two pore domains with intracellular N- and C- termini. It has been proposed that the functional channel unit is a dimer.

K_2P channels are regulated by diverse physical and chemical stimuli including temperature, pH, mechanical stretch, inhalation anesthetics, etc. but are insensitive to classical K⁺ channel blockers.

The KCNK13 channel is activated by arachidonic acid and inhibited by the volatile anesthetic halothane. The channel is relatively widely expressed in peripheral tissues such as kidney, heart, lung and liver but it is also expressed in brain.
The physiological function of the KCNK13 channel is not clear but an involvement in the physiological response to reduced oxygen levels (hypoxia) has been proposed.²