The novel weakly inward rectifying potassium channel Kir7.1 is a low-conductance channel that is predominantly expressed in epithelial cells. Here we describe a partial genomic characterization and the chromosomal assignment of the human Kir7.1 gene (KCNJ13). Analysis of the genomic structure using a PCR-based approach revealed a single 2088-bp intron in the coding region of KCNJ13. PCR analysis of monochromosomal and radiation hybrid panels assigns KCNJ13 to band 2q37 between markers D2S331 and D2S345. In addition, a single nucleotide polymorphism (C524-->T), leading to an exchange of a Thr with an Ile residue at amino acid position 175, was found.
Copyright 1998 Academic Press.