Routes for Potassium Ions across Mitochondrial Membranes: A Biophysical Point of View with Special Focus on the ATP-Sensitive K<sup>+</sup> Channel

Potassium ions can cross both the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes by means of multiple routes. A few potassium-permeable ion channels exist in the outer membrane, while in the inner membrane, a multitude of different potassium-selective and potassium-permeable channels mediate K<sup>+&...

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Main Authors: Yevheniia Kravenska, Vanessa Checchetto, Ildiko Szabo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
Series:Biomolecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/8/1172
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author Yevheniia Kravenska
Vanessa Checchetto
Ildiko Szabo
author_facet Yevheniia Kravenska
Vanessa Checchetto
Ildiko Szabo
author_sort Yevheniia Kravenska
collection DOAJ
description Potassium ions can cross both the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes by means of multiple routes. A few potassium-permeable ion channels exist in the outer membrane, while in the inner membrane, a multitude of different potassium-selective and potassium-permeable channels mediate K<sup>+</sup> uptake into energized mitochondria. In contrast, potassium is exported from the matrix thanks to an H<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup> exchanger whose molecular identity is still debated. Among the K<sup>+</sup> channels of the inner mitochondrial membrane, the most widely studied is the ATP-dependent potassium channel, whose pharmacological activation protects cells against ischemic damage and neuronal injury. In this review, we briefly summarize and compare the different hypotheses regarding the molecular identity of this patho-physiologically relevant channel, taking into account the electrophysiological characteristics of the proposed components. In addition, we discuss the characteristics of the other channels sharing localization to both the plasma membrane and mitochondria.
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spelling doaj.art-5c302012c81f4c85a091867419d97b922023-11-22T06:55:52ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2021-08-01118117210.3390/biom11081172Routes for Potassium Ions across Mitochondrial Membranes: A Biophysical Point of View with Special Focus on the ATP-Sensitive K<sup>+</sup> ChannelYevheniia Kravenska0Vanessa Checchetto1Ildiko Szabo2Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, ItalyPotassium ions can cross both the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes by means of multiple routes. A few potassium-permeable ion channels exist in the outer membrane, while in the inner membrane, a multitude of different potassium-selective and potassium-permeable channels mediate K<sup>+</sup> uptake into energized mitochondria. In contrast, potassium is exported from the matrix thanks to an H<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup> exchanger whose molecular identity is still debated. Among the K<sup>+</sup> channels of the inner mitochondrial membrane, the most widely studied is the ATP-dependent potassium channel, whose pharmacological activation protects cells against ischemic damage and neuronal injury. In this review, we briefly summarize and compare the different hypotheses regarding the molecular identity of this patho-physiologically relevant channel, taking into account the electrophysiological characteristics of the proposed components. In addition, we discuss the characteristics of the other channels sharing localization to both the plasma membrane and mitochondria.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/8/1172mitochondriaion channelselectrophysiologyATP-dependent potassium channel
spellingShingle Yevheniia Kravenska
Vanessa Checchetto
Ildiko Szabo
Routes for Potassium Ions across Mitochondrial Membranes: A Biophysical Point of View with Special Focus on the ATP-Sensitive K<sup>+</sup> Channel
Biomolecules
mitochondria
ion channels
electrophysiology
ATP-dependent potassium channel
title Routes for Potassium Ions across Mitochondrial Membranes: A Biophysical Point of View with Special Focus on the ATP-Sensitive K<sup>+</sup> Channel
title_full Routes for Potassium Ions across Mitochondrial Membranes: A Biophysical Point of View with Special Focus on the ATP-Sensitive K<sup>+</sup> Channel
title_fullStr Routes for Potassium Ions across Mitochondrial Membranes: A Biophysical Point of View with Special Focus on the ATP-Sensitive K<sup>+</sup> Channel
title_full_unstemmed Routes for Potassium Ions across Mitochondrial Membranes: A Biophysical Point of View with Special Focus on the ATP-Sensitive K<sup>+</sup> Channel
title_short Routes for Potassium Ions across Mitochondrial Membranes: A Biophysical Point of View with Special Focus on the ATP-Sensitive K<sup>+</sup> Channel
title_sort routes for potassium ions across mitochondrial membranes a biophysical point of view with special focus on the atp sensitive k sup sup channel
topic mitochondria
ion channels
electrophysiology
ATP-dependent potassium channel
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/8/1172
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AT vanessachecchetto routesforpotassiumionsacrossmitochondrialmembranesabiophysicalpointofviewwithspecialfocusontheatpsensitiveksupsupchannel
AT ildikoszabo routesforpotassiumionsacrossmitochondrialmembranesabiophysicalpointofviewwithspecialfocusontheatpsensitiveksupsupchannel