On June 19, 2024, the research team of Professor Xuemei Zhang, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, published a paper in Autophagy (2024 IF: 14.6). The title of the research paper is “Activation of BK channels prevents diabetes-induced osteopenia by regulating mitochondrial Ca²⁺ and SLC25A5/ANT2-PINK1-PRKN-mediated mitophagy”.

Osteopenia and osteoporosis are among the most common metabolic bone diseases and represent major public health problems, with sufferers having an increased fracture risk. Diabetes is one of the most common diseases contributing to osteopenia and osteoporosis. However, the mechanisms underlying diabetes-induced osteopenia and osteoporosis remain unclear. Bone reconstruction, including bone formation and absorption, is a dynamic process. Large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K+ channels (BK channels) regulate the function of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts. Our previous studies revealed the relationship between BK channels and the function of osteoblasts via various pathways under physiological conditions. In this study, we reported a decrease in the expression of BK channels in mice with diabetes-induced osteopenia. BK deficiency enhanced mitochondrial Ca²⁺ and activated classical PINK1 (PTEN induced putative kinase 1)-PRKN/Parkin (parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase)-dependent mitophagy, whereas the upregulation of BK channels inhibited mitophagy in osteoblasts. Moreover, SLC25A5/ANT2 (solute carrier family 25 (mitochondrial carrier, adenine nucleotide translocator), member 5), a critical inner mitochondrial membrane protein participating in PINK1-PRKN-dependent mitophagy, was also regulated by BK channels. Overall, these data identified a novel role of BK channels in regulating mitophagy in osteoblasts, which might be a potential target for diabetes-induced bone diseases.

Link to the original paper：https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2024.2367184

Reference：Jiang L, He H, Tang Y, et al. Activation of BK channels prevents diabetes-induced osteopenia by regulating mitochondrial Ca²⁺ and SLC25A5/ANT2-PINK1-PRKN-mediated mitophagy. Autophagy. Published online June 19, 2024. doi:10.1080/15548627.2024.2367184