Quinine inhibits mitochondrial ATP-regulated potassium channel from bovine heart

Tissue protection mediated by mitochondrial K+ channels

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.

Matrix Mg2+ regulates mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium channel from heart

Mitochondrial ATP-regulated potassium (mitoKATP) channels play an important role in cardioprotection. Single channel activity was measured after reconstitution of inner mitochondrial membranes from bovine myocardium into a planar lipid bilayer. After incorporation, the potassium channel was recorded with a mean conductance of 103+/-9 pS. The channel activity was inhibited by ATP/Mg and activated by GDP. Magnesium ions alone affected, in a dose dependent manner, both the channel conductance and the open probability. Magnesium ions regulated the mitoKATP channel only when added to the trans compartment. We conclude that Mg2+ regulates the cardiac mitoKATP channel from the matrix site by affecting both the channel conductance and gating.