Role of organellar Ca2+-activated K+ channels in disease development

Abstract

The organellar Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels share a similar ability to transfer the alteration of Ca²⁺ concentration to membrane conductance of potassium. Multiple effects of Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels on cell metabolism and complex signaling pathways during organ development have been explored. The organellar Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels are able to control the ionic equilibrium and are always associated with oxidative stress in different organelles and the whole cells. Some drugs targeting Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels have been tested for various diseases in clinical trials. In this review, the known roles of organellar Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels were described, and their effects on different diseases, particularly on diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological diseases were discussed. It was attempted to summarize the currently known operational modes with the involvement of organellar Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels. This review may assist scholars to more comprehensively understand organellar Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels and related diseases.

Keywords: Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels; Cardiovascular diseases; Diabetes; Mitochondria; Neurological diseases.