Therapeutic potential of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in Parkinson’s disease

• Published in: Brain research bulletin 2021-04, Vol.169, p.1-7
• Main Authors: Zhao, Sha, Wang, MengZhen, Ma, ZeGang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antiparkinson Agents - therapeutic use; ATP sensitive potassium channel; Dopamine neuron; Dopaminergic Neurons - metabolism; Dopaminergic Neurons - pathology; Humans; KATP Channels - metabolism; Parkinson Disease - drug therapy; Parkinson Disease - metabolism; Parkinson Disease - pathology; Parkinson’s disease; Substantia Nigra - metabolism; Substantia Nigra - pathology
• ISSN: 0361-9230; 1873-2747
• DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.01.003

•KATP channels are essential for neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease.•KATP links membrane excitability to energy metabolism.•Pharmacological blockers or activators of KATP channels may be effective for PD motor and non-motor symptoms. In the past decade, there was an increasing interest in the therapeutic potential targeting ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels for an effective treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). KATP channels are widely expressed in the central nervous system and were reported to mediate the degeneration and death of nigral dopamine neurons in the pathogenesis of PD. This review aims to address the pivotal roles of KATP channels played in the mechanisms underlying PD pathogenesis, and provide possible directions for further research from different perspectives, such as the vulnerability of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra, neurotransmitter releasing, iron metabolism in the brain, α-synuclein secretion and mitochondrial dysfunction, which are off critical importance in the investigation of KATP channels-targeted precise therapeutic interventions for PD.