Premium
Mitochondrial potassium channels
Author(s) -
Szewczyk Adam,
Jarmuszkiewicz Wieslawa,
Kunz Wolfram S.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1002/iub.155
Subject(s) - potassium channel , potassium , mitochondrion , membrane potential , bk channel , biophysics , sk channel , inner mitochondrial membrane , potassium channel opener , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , inward rectifier potassium ion channel , cytoprotection , voltage gated potassium channel , atp sensitive potassium channel , calcium activated potassium channel , biochemistry , biology , ion channel , receptor , endocrinology , oxidative stress , glibenclamide , organic chemistry , diabetes mellitus
Abstract Mitochondrial potassium channels are believed to contribute to cytoprotection of injured cardiac and neuronal tissues. The following potassium channels have been described in the inner mitochondrial membrane: the ATP‐regulated potassium channel, the large conductance Ca 2+ ‐activated potassium channel, the voltage‐gated Kv1.3 potassium channel, and the twin‐pore domain TASK‐3 potassium channel. The putative functional roles of these channels include changes in mitochondrial matrix volume, mitochondrial respiration, and membrane potential. In addition, the activity of these channels modulates the generation of reactive oxygen species by mitochondria. In this article, we discuss recent observations on three fundamental issues concerning mitochondrial potassium channels: (i) their molecular identity, (ii) their interaction with potassium channel openers and inhibitors, and (iii) their functional properties. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(2): 134–143, 2009