EN
Potassium channels have been described in the inner mitochondrial membrane: the ATP-regulated potassium channel, the calcium activated potassium channels, the voltage-gated potassium channel and the twin-pore domain TASK-3 potassium channel. Mitochondrial potassium channels play an important role in cardioprotection and in neuroprotection. Potassium channels in the inner mitochondrial membrane are modulated by inhibitors (such as 5-hydroxydecanoic acid or iberiotoxin) and activators (potassium channel openers such as diazoxide) previously described for plasma membrane potassium channels. The mitochondrial potassium channels are regulated by variety of endogenous modulators such as reactive oxygen species or free fatty acids. In this paper, recent observations on three fundamental issues concerning mitochondrial potassium channel will be discussed: (1) their molecular identity, (2) their interaction with potassium channel openers and inhibitors and (3) their functional role and regulation. Supported by a grant MERIS PBS1/B8/1/2012 from the National Centre of Research and Development..