title: The mitochondrial outer membrane channel, VDAC, is modulated by a soluble protein.
abstract: The mitochondrial outer membrane channel, VDAC, serves as the primary permeability pathway for metabolite flux between cytoplasmic and mitochondrial compartments. VDAC can occupy several conformational states differing in ion conductivity. Small transmembrane potentials cause transitions from open- to closed-channel conformations. A soluble mitochondrial protein enhances the channel's response to voltage by increasing the rate of channel closing; inducing the occupation of lower conductance states; and decreasing the rate of channel reopening. This protein modulator acts at very low concentrations and its role in the cell may be to regulate the permeability of the mitochondrial outer membrane by inducing channel closure.
authors: Department of Zoology, University of Maryland, College Park 20742.
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Holden
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Colombini
mesh_terms: D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D009491:Neurospora / Q000378:metabolism*; D009492:Neurospora crassa / Q000378:metabolism*; D018272:Porins; D011402:Pronase; D050994:Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018272:Porins; D050994:Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels; D011402:Pronase