Potassium channel subfamily K member 18 (KCNK18), also known as TWIK-related spinal cord potassium channel (TRESK) or K_2P18.1 is a protein

Protein

Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...

 that in humans is encoded by the KCNK18 gene

Gene

A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...

. K_2P18.1 is a potassium channel

Potassium channel

In the field of cell biology, potassium channels are the most widely distributed type of ion channel and are found in virtually all living organisms. They form potassium-selective pores that span cell membranes...

 containing two pore-forming P domains.

A flaw in this gene could help trigger migraine

Migraine

Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by moderate to severe headaches, and nausea...

headaches. If the gene does not work properly, environmental factors can more easily trigger pain centres in the brain and cause a severe headache.