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VDAC function in a cellular context

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Mitochondrial Function and Biogenesis

Part of the book series: Topics in Current Genetics ((TCG,volume 8))

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Abstract

Trafficking of metabolites across the outer mitochondrial membrane is believed to be mediated primarily by the pore forming oltage-ependent anion channel, VDAC (also known as mitochondrial porin). An expanding body of in vitro studies strongly suggest that the pore formed by VDAC can be regulated in a number of ways that implicate it as a site for the regulation of mitochondrial function, yet technical limitations have prevented the extension these studies to a relevant cellular context. The goal of this review is to evaluate recent data that examines the role of mammalian VDAC isoforms using genetic approaches that allow a careful and focused examination of the function of this protein, both in individual cells and in specific tissues. These studies implicate VDAC as a participant in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and in apoptotic programs; two processes that may be interconnected.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vollum Institute, L474, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, Canada

    Michael Forte

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  1. Michael Forte
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© 2004 Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg

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Forte, M. (2004). VDAC function in a cellular context. In: Mitochondrial Function and Biogenesis. Topics in Current Genetics, vol 8. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/b97158

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/b97158

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-21489-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-40895-6

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