Abstract
SUR2A is an ATP-binding protein known to serve as a regulatory subunit of metabolic-sensing, cardio protective sarcolemmal ATIP-sensitive K+ (K-ATP) channels. It has been recently found that a moderate increase in expression of SUR2A protects the heart against different types of metabolic stresses, including ischaemia/reperfusion and hypoxia. Although the sarcolemmal K-ATP channel is a multiprotein complex composed of many proteins in vivo, it seems that an increase in SUR2A levels is sufficient to increase the number of sarcolemmal K-ATP channels. This effect of SUR2A could be due to SUR2A being the rate-limiting factor in generating fully composed sarcolemmal K-ATP channels. An increased number of sarcolemmal K-ATP channels seems to protect the heart by regulating action membrane potential, inhibiting Ca2+ influx and preventing Ca2+ overload, although an additional yet to be recognised mechanism independent of K-ATP channels activity cannot be excluded.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 189-193 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Current Opinion in Pharmacology |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2009 |
Keywords
- SENSITIVE POTASSIUM CHANNELS
- SARCOLEMMAL K-ATP
- GLYCERALDEHYDE-3-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE
- ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION INJURY
- CREATINE-KINASE
- H9C2 CELLS
- ISCHEMIA
- HEART
- SUBUNITS
- PROTEIN