VDAC (voltage-dependent anion selective channel) proteins, also known as mitochondrial porins, are the most abundant proteins of the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) where they play a vital role in various cellular processes, in the regulation of metabolism, and in survival pathways. They mediate the ions (such as Ca2+) and metabolites (such as succinate or ATP, tRNA or DNA) exchange between mitochondria and the rest of the cell, ensuring good functionality of mitochondrial complexes and energy production.
In higher eukaryotes, there are three VDAC isoforms (VDAC1, VDAC2, VDAC3) encoded by separate genes located on different chromosomes. VDAC has the potential for the research of cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
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