Mitochondrial K channels in cell survival and death

Abstract

Since the discovery of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mitoK ATP ) more than 13 years ago, it has been implicated in the processes of ischemic preconditioning (IPC), apoptosis and mitochondrial matrix swelling. Different approaches have been employed to characterize the pharmacological profile of the channel, and these studies strongly suggest that cellular protection well correlates with the opening of mitoK ATP . However, there are many questions regarding mitoK ATP that remain to be answered. These include the very existence of mitoK ATP itself, its degree of importance in the process of IPC, its response to different pharmacological agents, and how its activation leads to the process of IPC and protection against cell death. Recent findings suggest that mitoK ATP may be a complex of multiple mitochondrial proteins, including some which have been suggested to be components of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. However, the identity of the pore-forming unit of the channel and the details of the interactions between these proteins remain unclear. In this review, we attempt to highlight the recent advances in the physiological role of mitoK ATP and discuss the controversies and unanswered questions.

Effects of human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) p13 on mitochondrial K+ permeability: A new member of the viroporin family?

“…The possibility that p13 might control cell turnover by affecting mitochondrial K + permeability and ROS production is also consistent with the fact that mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitoK ATP ) channels are involved in controlling cell survival and death [20]. mitoK ATP channels are, in fact, strongly implicated in the protection from apoptosis that characterizes ischemic preconditioning in the heart.…”

“…Segments A-D of the protein represent, respectively, the amphipathic a-helical domain, the transmembrane domain, the hinge region and the C-terminal beta sheet hairpin. Panel C also shows a more detailed helical wheel model of the amphipathic a-helical domain of p13 (amino acids [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. Panel C does not indicate the matrix and intermembrane space faces of the inner membrane, as the topology of p13 has not been defined.…”

Mitochondrial Impairment Mediates Cytolysis in Anthrax Lethal Toxin-Treated Murine Macrophages

“…Notably, treatment with high KCl concentrations also prevents cytolysis mediated by several membrane-active bacterial toxins and potassium ionophores. 44 As high intracellular potassium or calcium levels can cause swelling of mitochondria, 45,46 changes in intracellular cation levels might lead to mitochondrial swelling and cytolysis observed in LT-treated macrophages (Fig. 2C).…”

Problems of hypoglycemic therapy in diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome

“…Это индуцирует процесс ИПК, в результате которого мио-кард становится устойчивым к последующей тяжелой ишемии. Показано, в что регуляции ИПК играют веду-щую роль митохондриальные, а не сарколеммальные К + -АТФ-каналы миокарда [33]. С учетом особенностей связывания с SUR препараты СМ имеют специфические кардиальные свойства.…”