Mitochondrial Ca2+-activated K+ channels and their role in cell life and death pathways

Mitochondrial calcium mito[Ca2+] influx occurs via the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) at the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) and the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) at the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). Potassium (K+) influx via the mitoKCa channels attenuates the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby reducing the mito[Ca2+] and ROS production.