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The Controversy of Sarcolemmal and Mitochondrial K_ATP Channels and Cardioprotection
Sponsored by APS Cardiovascular Section
Channels and Transporters Track

There is now a vast amount of literature on the involvement of K_ATP channels in cardioprotection. However, a clear picture has not emerged, and the issue remains shrouded in uncertainties, particularly (1) Whether pharmacologic findings reflect the presence of a K_ATP channel in mitochondria; (2) Whether a K_ATP channel is directly involved in ischemic preconditioning; (3) What is the make-up of the cardiomyocyte sarcolemmal and mitochondrial K_ATP channels. These issues are of potentially enormous impact on the therapeutic possibilities in the treatment of myocardial ischemia, as well as the basic biology of the coupling of metabolism to excitability.

Recent studies have provided striking new insights into the structural basis of K_ATP channels, the identity of pharmacologic targets, and the localization of different protein components in the heart. These studies promise to finally elucidate the nature of different K_ATP functions in the heart and in the phenomena of cardioprotection. This symposium will bring together key players in these new developments to discuss and synthesize their ideas and findings. It should be noted that this group of speakers has not previously been assembled in a national or international forum.

The intended audience will be a diverse one, including cardiologists, pharmacologists and physiologists interested in cardioprotection mechanisms, mitochondrial biochemists, and structural biochemists interested in ABC proteins, ion channels and membrane protein complexes.