title: [What we don't know about mitochondrial potassium channels?]
abstract: In the current work the authors present the most interesting, yet not fully understood issues regarding origin, function and pharmacology of the mitochondrial potassium channels. There are eight potassium channels known to contribute to the potassium permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane: ATP-regulated channel, calcium-regulated channels of large, intermediate and small conductance, voltage-regulated Kv1.3 and Kv7.4 channels, two-pore-domain TASK-3 channel and SLO2 channel. The primary function of the mitochondrial potassium channels is regulation of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, mitochondrial potassium channels alter cellular respiration, regulation of the mitochondrial volume and ROS synthesis. However, mechanisms underlying these processes are not fully understood yet. In this work, the authors not only present available knowledge about this topic, but also put certain hypotheses that may set the direction for the future research on these proteins.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, 3 Pasteura 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 PAS, 3 Pasteura St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wrzosek
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, 3 Pasteura St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koprowski
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, 3 Pasteura St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kiełbasa
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: Department of Biophysics, Warsaw University of Life Sciences- SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Łukasiak
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Warsaw University of Life Sciences- SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dołowy
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, 3 Pasteura St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szewczyk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D015221:Potassium Channels
keywords: biological membranes; cytoprotection; endothelium; mitochondria; mitochondrial potassium channels