The effect of potential-dependent potassium uptake on membrane potential in rat brain mitochondria

The effect of potential-dependent potassium uptake on the transmembrane potential difference (ΔΨm) in rat brain mitochondria has been studied­. It was shown that in potassium concentration range of 0-120 mM the potential-dependent K+-uptake into matrix leads to the increase in respiration rate and mitochondrial depolarization. ATP-dependent potassium channel (K+ATP-channel) blockers, gliben­clamide and 5-hydroxydecanoate, block ~35% of potential-dependent potassium uptake in the brain mitochondria. It was shown that K+ATP-channel blockage results in membrane repolarization by ~20% of control, which is consistent with experimental dependence of ΔΨm on the rate of potential-dependent potassium uptake. Obtained experimental data give the evidence that functional activity of K+ATP-channel is physiologically important in the regulation of membrane potential and energy-dependent processes in brain mitochondria