KCNJ11
KCNJ11 potassium channel — the molecular target that 1 compounds in the wiki act on.
In one line: A tiny gate on hair-follicle blood vessels that minoxidil opens to grow hair.
KCNJ11 is part of a potassium channel — a gate on cells. Minoxidil opens these gates on the blood vessels feeding hair follicles, widening them and keeping hairs in their growth phase longer. That's why minoxidil, paired with finasteride, is a core evidence-based hair-loss treatment.
Think of it as improving the "plumbing and lease" for each follicle: better blood supply, and a longer stay in the growing phase.