Pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial ion channels

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 localization 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, poss ible strategies to overcome 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 interaction partners. Altog ether, these promising tools along with large‐scale chemical screenings set up to identify new, specific channel modulators will hopefully allow to pinpoint the actual function of most mitochondrial ion channels in the near fut...
Source: British Journal of Pharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: REVIEW ARTICLE THEMED ISSUE Source Type: research