Department of Pharmacy, via Bonanno 6 - 56126, Pisa, Italy.
Curr Med Chem. 2018;25(23):2661-2674. doi: 10.2174/0929867324666171012115300.
Mitochondria play a central role in ATP-generating processes. Indeed, in mammalian tissues, up to 90% of ATP is generated by mitochondria through the process of oxidative phosphorylation; furthermore, mitochondria are involved in multiple signal transduction pathways. A rapidly expanding body of literature has confirmed that mitochondria play a pivotal role in apoptosis, cardio- and neuro-protection, and various neurodegenerative disorders, ranging from Parkinson's to Alzheimer's disease. Mitochondria are also the targets of multiple drugs, some of these are specifically designed to affect mitochondrial function, while others have primary targets in other cellular locations but may interact with mitochondria because of the presence of numerous targets on this organelle. In this regard, mitochondrial potassium (mitoK) channels play a critical role in mitochondrial function and, consequently, in the metabolism of the whole cell.
To describe mitoK channels from a structural point of view and investigate their pathophysiological roles, focusing on possible specific modulators that might be useful as pharmacological tools in the treatment of various pathologies characterized by mitoK involvement.
mitoK channels play a decisive role in several pathologies, including cardiovascular diseases, particularly in myocardial infarction and neurodegenerative diseases, and they are emerging as promising oncological targets.
mitoK channels represent novel targets, and mitoK channel modulators represent an exciting tool for pharmacological intervention against such pathological conditions.
线粒体在产生 ATP 的过程中发挥着核心作用。事实上，在哺乳动物组织中，高达 90%的 ATP 是通过氧化磷酸化过程由线粒体产生的；此外，线粒体还参与多种信号转导途径。越来越多的文献证实，线粒体在细胞凋亡、心脏和神经保护以及各种神经退行性疾病（从帕金森病到阿尔茨海默病）中起着关键作用。线粒体也是多种药物的靶点，其中一些药物专门设计用于影响线粒体功能，而另一些药物的主要靶点在其他细胞位置，但由于该细胞器上存在众多靶点，它们可能与线粒体相互作用。在这方面，线粒体钾 (mitoK) 通道在维持线粒体功能和细胞整体代谢中起着关键作用。
从结构角度描述 mitoK 通道，并研究其病理生理作用，重点关注可能作为药理学工具在各种涉及 mitoK 的疾病治疗中有用的特定调节剂。
mitoK 通道在多种疾病中发挥着决定性作用，包括心血管疾病，特别是心肌梗死和神经退行性疾病，并且它们作为有前途的肿瘤靶点正在出现。
mitoK 通道是新的靶点，mitoK 通道调节剂是针对这些病理状况进行药物干预的令人兴奋的工具。
