The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the family of potassium channel proteins containing two pore-forming P domains. This channel is an open rectifier which primarily passes outward current under physiological K+ concentrations. This gene is activated at alkaline pH . Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. Synonyms: TALK2, TASK4, TALK-2, TASK-4, K2p17.1