Protein kinase C (PKC) mediated interaction between conexin43 (Cx43) and K+(ATP) channel subunit (Kir6.1) in cardiomyocyte mitochondria: Implications in cytoprotection against hypoxia induced cell apoptosis

Our results demonstrate that PKC epsilon regulates the interaction between Cx43 and Kir6.1 in the cardiomyocyte mitochondria and this interaction prevents hypoxia induced cell death. Our results provide an interesting lead in developing effective strategies to protect cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/ischemia induced cell death.