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Kulawiak B, Szewczyk A. Current Challenges of Mitochondrial Potassium Channel Research. Front Physiol 2022; 13:907015. [PMID: 35711307 PMCID: PMC9193220 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.907015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, the current challenges of mitochondrial potassium channels research were critically reviewed. Even though recent progress in understanding K+ traffic in mitochondria has been substantial, some basic issues of this process remain unresolved. Here, we focused on the critical discussion of the molecular identity of various mitochondrial potassium channels. This point helps to clarify why there are different potassium channels in specific mitochondria. We also described interactions of mitochondrial potassium channel subunits with other mitochondrial proteins. Posttranslational modifications of mitochondrial potassium channels and their import are essential but unexplored research areas. Additionally, problems with the pharmacological targeting of mitochondrial potassium channel were illustrated. Finally, the limitation of the techniques used to measure mitochondrial potassium channels was explained. We believe that recognizing these problems may be interesting for readers but will also help to progress the field of mitochondrial potassium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogusz Kulawiak
- Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Szewczyk
- Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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Leanza L, Checchetto V, Biasutto L, Rossa A, Costa R, Bachmann M, Zoratti M, Szabo I. Pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial ion channels. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:4258-4283. [PMID: 30440086 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of mitochondrial ion channels has undergone a rapid development during the last three decades, due to the molecular identification of some of the channels residing in the outer and inner membranes. Relevant information about the function of these channels in physiological and pathological settings was gained thanks to genetic models for a few, mitochondria-specific channels. However, many ion channels have multiple localizations within the cell, hampering a clear-cut determination of their function by pharmacological means. The present review summarizes our current knowledge about the ins and outs of mitochondrial ion channels, with special focus on the channels that have received much attention in recent years, namely, the voltage-dependent anion channels, the permeability transition pore (also called mitochondrial megachannel), the mitochondrial calcium uniporter and some of the inner membrane-located potassium channels. In addition, possible strategies to overcome the difficulties of specifically targeting mitochondrial channels versus their counterparts active in other membranes are discussed, as well as the possibilities of modulating channel function by small peptides that compete for binding with protein interacting partners. Altogether, these promising tools along with large-scale chemical screenings set up to identify new, specific channel modulators will hopefully allow us to pinpoint the actual function of most mitochondrial ion channels in the near future and to pharmacologically affect important pathologies in which they are involved, such as neurodegeneration, ischaemic damage and cancer. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Mitochondrial Pharmacology: Featured Mechanisms and Approaches for Therapy Translation. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.22/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Leanza
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Biasutto
- CNR Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Rossa
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Roberto Costa
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Mario Zoratti
- CNR Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ildiko Szabo
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,CNR Institute of Neurosciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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