Dear Colleagues,

Ion channels and transporters, specifically those that control the flux of potassium, sodium, and calcium ions across intracellular and plasma membranes, have recently been shown to exhibit an important role in the pathophysiology of a number of diseases, including heart ischemia-reperfusion injury, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, muscular dystrophies, kidney injury, and tumors. In physiological processes, membrane transport carriers and membrane receptors work as an integrated system, providing ionic, metabolic, and redox homeostasis. A sharp increase in the permeability of the mitochondrial inner membrane, known as mitochondrial permeability transition, occurs under the conditions of calcium and ROS stress. This phenomenon can proceed through several mechanisms, and it is currently being investigated both as a physiological process involved in the modulation of mitochondrial function and as a central event leading to the disruption of energy metabolism and cell death. Potassium channels are the most widely distributed type of ion channel and are essential in both excitable and non-excitable cells for the control of membrane potential, regulation of cell volume, thermogenesis, and the secretion processes. Na+/K+ ATPase activity maintains a Na+ gradient utilized by sodium-dependent transport mechanisms to modulate calcium signaling, excitatory neurotransmitters, acid–base balance, salt-wasting disorders, fluid volume, glucose uptake, magnesium transport, and other processes.

We are pleased to invite you to submit your latest findings to this Special Issue (Volume II), which will bring together current research concerning the recent progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms and pathophysiological role of membrane permeability along various membrane transport pathways, including ion channels, transporters, receptors, and pores. To provide insight into the outcome of impaired transporter activity and membrane permeability, the Special Issue also aims to discuss therapeutic strategies that may prevent these pathological consequences.

In this Special Issue (Volume II), original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: membrane permeability; artificial membranes; ion channels; membrane receptors; potassium and calcium transport; mitochondrial membranes; mitochondrial permeability transition pore; mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel; mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex; VDAC; mitochondrial dynamics; phospholipases.

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Natalia Belosludtseva
Prof. Dr. Galina D. Mironova
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• membrane permeability
• artificial membranes
• membrane receptors
• ion channels
• potassium, sodium and calcium transport
• phospholipases
• mitochondrial membranes
• mitochondrial permeability transition pores
• mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel
• mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex
• VDAC
• mitochondrial dynamics