[Topology of the mitochondrial potassium ion channels]

In the inner mitochondrial membrane several potassium channels have been identified whose activation lead to cytoprotection during ischemic event. It was found that activation of mitochondrial large conductance calcium activated potassium channel (mitoBK_Ca) and ATP regulated potassium channel (mitoK_ATP) preserves brain and heart muscle cells against ischemia/reperfusion induced damage. However the detailed cytoprotection mechanism remains unclear. Similarly, the molecular structures and protein interactions of the mitochondrial potassium channels are still unknown. In this article, we summarize the current knowledge of the mitoK_ATP and mitoBK_Ca channels topology. Different aspects of this topic are discussed like import and assembly of the channel subunits and biophysical properties of mitochondrial compartments. Additionally, the consequences of different topology models on the cytoprotective function of the mitochondrial potassium channels were analyzed.