ATP-sensitive inward rectifier potassium channel 10 (KCNJ10, also known as Kir4.1) is an inwardly rectifying K⁺ channel predominantly expressed in glial cells within the central nervous system. In glial cells, Kir4.1 participates in multiple physiological processes, including the maintenance of extracellular K⁺ homeostasis, preservation of astrocyte resting membrane potential, regulation of cell volume, and promotion of glutamate uptake (PMID: 26961251). Kir4.1 can assemble into Kir4.1/Kir5.1 heteromeric channels, which mediate basolateral K⁺ recycling in renal distal tubules. This activity is essential for tubular Na⁺ reabsorption. Pathogenic mutations in Kir4.1 are associated with EAST/SeSAME syndrome, a genetic disorder marked by renal salt wasting (PMID: 24561201; 8995301).