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Review
. 2019 Aug;14(8):1293-1308.
doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.253506.

Tandem pore TWIK-related potassium channels and neuroprotection

J Antonio Lamas  1 , Diego Fernández-Fernández  1
Affiliations
Review

Tandem pore TWIK-related potassium channels and neuroprotection

J Antonio Lamas et al. Neural Regen Res. 2019 Aug.

Abstract

TWIK-related potassium channels (TREK) belong to a subfamily of the two-pore domain potassium channels family with three members, TREK1, TREK2 and TWIK-related arachidonic acid-activated potassium channels. The two-pore domain potassium channels is the last big family of channels being discovered, therefore it is not surprising that most of the information we know about TREK channels predominantly comes from the study of heterologously expressed channels. Notwithstanding, in this review we pay special attention to the limited amount of information available on native TREK-like channels and real neurons in relation to neuroprotection. Mainly we focus on the role of free fatty acids, lysophospholipids and other neuroprotective agents like riluzole in the modulation of TREK channels, emphasizing on how important this modulation may be for the development of new therapies against neuropathic pain, depression, schizophrenia, epilepsy, ischemia and cardiac complications.

Keywords: TRAAK; TREK channels; TREK-1; TREK-2; free fatty acids; lysophospholipids; neuroprotection; riluzole.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Major polyunsaturated fatty acids activating TWIK-related potassium channels. See Table 1 for more details.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Major lysophospholipids activating TWIK-related potassium channels. See Table 2 for more details.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Major therapeutics modulating TWIK-related potassium channels. See Table 3 for more details.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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