title: Tissue protection mediated by mitochondrial K+ channels.
abstract: Two distinct K+ uniporters have been described in mitochondria, ATP-sensitive and Ca2+-activated. Both are capable of protecting tissues against ischemia and other forms of injury when active. These findings indicate a central role for mitochondrial K+ uptake in tissue protection. This review describes the characteristics of mitochondrial K+ uniport, physiological consequences of this transport, forms of tissue damage in which K+ channels are implicated and possible mechanisms through which protection occurs.
authors: Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Heberty T F
authors: HT
authors: Facundo
authors: Maynara
authors: M
authors: Fornazari
authors: Alicia J
authors: AJ
authors: Kowaltowski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017136:Ion Transport; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D002118:Calcium