Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

18.0K
A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...
18.0K
Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

2.4K
2.4K
The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane01:28

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

5.1K
The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria.  In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...
5.1K
Mitochondrial Protein Sorting01:39

Mitochondrial Protein Sorting

6.0K
Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles of the eukaryotes involved in cellular metabolism, signaling, ATP synthesis, and programmed cell death.  Each of these processes requires specific proteins and enzymes that must be correctly sorted to the right mitochondrial subcompartment for the proper functioning of the organelle.
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
6.0K
Porin Insertion in the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane01:12

Porin Insertion in the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane

5.4K
Porins are beta-barrel proteins translocated to the mitochondrial outer membrane through the TOM complex into the intermembrane space. Porin precursors bind TIM chaperones within the intermembrane space and are guided to the Sorting and Assembly Machinery complex or SAM complex on the outer mitochondrial membrane.
Three models describe the assembly of porins by the SAM complex and their insertion into the outer membrane. Model 1 suggests that porins are assembled outside the SAM channel as the...
5.4K
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

19.7K
The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
19.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Excessive Ca<sup>2+</sup>-dependent ER-mitochondrial contact stabilization by EFHD1 drives liver injury.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Mitochondrial Calcium Regulation of Cardiac Metabolism in Health and Disease.

Physiology (Bethesda, Md.)·2024
Same author

Mitochondria possess a large, non-selective ionic current that is enhanced during cardiac injury.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2023
Same author

Absence (of the uniporter) makes the heart grow fonder: The cardiac response to injury adapts after prolonged EMRE inhibition.

Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology·2023
Same author

Mitochondrial phosphatidylethanolamine modulates UCP1 to promote brown adipose thermogenesis.

Science advances·2023
Same author

Author Correction: Mitochondrial calcium uniporter stabilization preserves energetic homeostasis during Complex I impairment.

Nature communications·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Mitochondrial Ca2+ Retention Capacity Assay and Ca2+-triggered Mitochondrial Swelling Assay
05:53

Mitochondrial Ca2+ Retention Capacity Assay and Ca2+-triggered Mitochondrial Swelling Assay

Published on: May 1, 2018

12.1K

Mitochondrial BKCa channel.

Enrique Balderas1, Jin Zhang2, Enrico Stefani3

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Frontiers in Physiology
|April 16, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The mitochondrial BKCa channel (mitoBKCa) protects the heart during ischemia by regulating reactive oxygen species and calcium. Further research is needed to understand its precise roles and interactions within mitochondria.

Keywords:
BK channelsMaxiK channelsischemia reperfusion injurymitochondriapermeability transition porepotassium channelssubunit composition

More Related Videos

The Use of the Patch-Clamp Technique to Study the Thermogenic Capacity of Mitochondria
11:05

The Use of the Patch-Clamp Technique to Study the Thermogenic Capacity of Mitochondria

Published on: May 3, 2021

4.6K
Analyses of Mitochondrial Calcium Influx in Isolated Mitochondria and Cultured Cells
08:29

Analyses of Mitochondrial Calcium Influx in Isolated Mitochondria and Cultured Cells

Published on: April 27, 2018

14.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Mitochondrial Ca2+ Retention Capacity Assay and Ca2+-triggered Mitochondrial Swelling Assay
05:53

Mitochondrial Ca2+ Retention Capacity Assay and Ca2+-triggered Mitochondrial Swelling Assay

Published on: May 1, 2018

12.1K
The Use of the Patch-Clamp Technique to Study the Thermogenic Capacity of Mitochondria
11:05

The Use of the Patch-Clamp Technique to Study the Thermogenic Capacity of Mitochondria

Published on: May 3, 2021

4.6K
Analyses of Mitochondrial Calcium Influx in Isolated Mitochondria and Cultured Cells
08:29

Analyses of Mitochondrial Calcium Influx in Isolated Mitochondria and Cultured Cells

Published on: April 27, 2018

14.7K

Area of Science:

  • Mitochondrial physiology
  • Ion channel function
  • Cardiovascular research

Background:

  • The mitochondrial BKCa channel (mitoBKCa), discovered 15 years ago, is found in brain and heart cells.
  • It exhibits high K+ conductance, voltage-dependency, and Ca2+ sensitivity.
  • Its molecular composition involves the Kcnma1 gene and a splice insert for cardiac targeting, with potential coassembly with β subunits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of the mitochondrial BKCa channel (mitoBKCa).
  • To highlight its role in cardiac protection during ischemia.
  • To identify open questions regarding mitoBKCa's function and interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on mitochondrial BKCa channels.
  • Analysis of biophysical properties and molecular composition.
  • Examination of its role in cellular protection mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • mitoBKCa is encoded by Kcnma1 and targeted to mitochondria via a splice insert.
  • It interacts with cytochrome c oxidase and is modulated by respiratory chain substrates.
  • Pharmacological activation protects the heart from ischemia by controlling reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial Ca2+.

Conclusions:

  • mitoBKCa plays a crucial role in cardiac protection against ischemia.
  • Further investigation is required to elucidate its coupling with the respiratory chain, non-conduction roles, functional partners, and roles in diverse cell types.
  • Understanding these aspects is key to defining mitoBKCa's impact on mitochondrial biology and disease.