Mitochondrial potassium and chloride channels.

Channels selective for potassium or chloride ions are present in inner mitochondrial membranes. They probably play an important role in mitochondrial events such as the formation of ΔpH and regulation of mitochondrial volume changes. Mitochondrial potassium and chloride channels could also be the targets for pharmacologically active compounds such as potassium channel openers and antidiabetic sulfonylureas. This review describes the properties, pharmacology, and current observations concerning the functional role of mitochondrial potassium and chloride channels.