KCNJ16 and Hypokalemia: Apart from renal salt wasting and hypokalemia, patients may present with opposite changes in acid-base metabolism that are thought to result from a broader expression pattern and more diverse tasks of Kir5.1: In addition to its role in the DCT outlined above, Kir5.1 also forms heteromers with Kir4.2 (KCNJ15) in the proximal tubule that are critical for bicarbonate reabsorption and ammonia excretion [54].