The uniqueness of the plant mitochondrial potassium channel

Abstract

The ATP-inhibited Plant Mitochondrial K+ Channel (PmitoKATP) was discovered about fifteen years ago in Durum Wheat Mitochondria (DWM). PmitoKATP catalyses the electrophoretic K+ uniport through the inner mitochondrial membrane; moreover, the co-operation between PmitoKATP and K+/H+ antiporter allows such a great operation of a K+ cycle to collapse mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) and ΔpH, thus impairing protonmotive force (Δp). A possible physiological role of such ΔΨ control is the restriction of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) production under environmental/oxidative stress conditions. Interestingly, DWM lacking Δp were found to be nevertheless fully coupled and able to regularly accomplish ATP synthesis; this unexpected behaviour makes necessary to recast in some way the classical chemiosmotic model. In the whole, PmitoKATP may oppose to large scale ROS production by lowering ΔΨ under environmental/oxidative stress, but, when stress is moderate, this occurs without impairing ATP synthesis in a crucial moment for cell and mitochondrial bioenergetics.


Autore Pugliese

Tutti gli autori

  • D. Pastore , M. Soccio , M.N. Laus , D. Trono

Titolo volume/Rivista

BMB REPORTS


Anno di pubblicazione

2013

ISSN

1976-6696

ISBN

Non Disponibile


Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile


Numero di citazioni Scopus

6

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile


Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile