title: The voltage-dependent anion channel: characterization, modulation, and role in mitochondrial function in cell life and death.
abstract: Recently, it has been recognized that there is a metabolic coupling between the cytosol and mitochondria, where the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM), the boundary between these compartments, has important functions. In this crosstalk, mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis and ATP production and supply play a major role. The primary transporter of ions and metabolites across the OMM is the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC). The interaction of VDAC with Ca2+, ATP glutamate, NADH, and different proteins was demonstrated, and these interactions may regulate OMM permeability. This review includes information on VDAC purification methods, characterization of its channel activity (selectivity, voltage-dependence, conductance), and the regulation of VDAC channel by ligands, such as Ca2+, glutamate and ATP and touches on many aspects of the physiological relevance of VDAC to Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. vardasb@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
authors.forename: Varda
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shoshan-Barmatz
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gincel
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D018272:Porins / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction; D050994:Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels
chemical_list: D018272:Porins; D050994:Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D002118:Calcium