title: Mitochondrial ion channels as therapeutic targets.
abstract: The study of mitochondrial ion channels changed our perception of these double-wrapped organelles from being just the power house of a cell to the guardian of a cell's fate. Mitochondria communicate with the cell through these special channels. Most of the time, the message is encoded by ion flow across the mitochondrial outer and inner membranes. Potassium, sodium, calcium, protons, nucleotides, and proteins traverse the mitochondrial membranes in an exquisitely regulated manner to control a myriad of processes, from respiration and mitochondrial morphology to cell proliferation and cell death. This review is an update on both well established and putative mitochondrial channels regarding their composition, function, regulation, and therapeutic potential.
authors.affiliation: New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA.
authors.forename: Pablo M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Peixoto
authors.forename: Shin-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Kathleen W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kinnally
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D050994:Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D007473:Ion Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels; D050994:Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels