title: What do we not know about mitochondrial potassium channels?
abstract: In this review, we summarize our knowledge about mitochondrial potassium channels, with a special focus on unanswered questions in this field. The following potassium channels have been well described in the inner mitochondrial membrane: ATP-regulated potassium channel, Ca(2+)-activated potassium channel, the voltage-gated Kv1.3 potassium channel, and the two-pore domain TASK-3 potassium channel. The primary functional roles of these channels include regulation of mitochondrial respiration and the alteration of membrane potential. Additionally, they modulate the mitochondrial matrix volume and the synthesis of reactive oxygen species by mitochondria. Mitochondrial potassium channels are believed to contribute to cytoprotection and cell death. In this paper, we discuss fundamental issues concerning mitochondrial potassium channels: their molecular identity, channel pharmacology and functional properties. Attention will be given to the current problems present in our understanding of the nature of mitochondrial potassium channels. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'EBEC 2016: 19th European Bioenergetics Conference, Riva del Garda, Italy, July 2-6, 2016', edited by Prof. Paolo Bernardi.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laskowski
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Bartłomiej
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Augustynek
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Bogusz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kulawiak
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koprowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bednarczyk
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Bioenergetics, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Wieslawa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jarmuszkiewicz
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: a.szewczyk@nencki.gov.pl.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szewczyk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D017136:Ion Transport; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D024683:Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014351:Trypanosomatina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D024683:Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated
keywords: ATP; Mitochondria; Potassium channel; Potassium channel opener