Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology
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J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol. · Jul 2012
Role of PI3Kα and sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive potassium channels in epoxyeicosatrienoic acid mediated cardioprotection.
Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are cytochrome P450 epoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid that have known cardioprotective properties. While the mechanism(s) remains unknown, evidence suggests that phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive potassium channels (pmK(ATP)) are important. However the role of specific PI3K isoforms and corresponding intracellular mechanisms remains unknown. ⋯ Together our data suggest that EET-mediated cardioprotection involves activation of PI3Kα, upstream of pmK(ATP), which prevents Ca(2+) overload and maintains mitochondrial function.