VOLTAGE DEPENDENT ANION CHANNELS

Subject: Science & tech

Concept:

VDAC, located in the mitochondrial outer membrane, functions as gatekeeper for the entry and exit of mitochondrial metabolites, thereby controlling cross-talk between mitochondria and the rest of the cell. VDAC is also a key player in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.
Meant to promote cell growth in general, the VDAC proteins act as gatekeepers, binding themselves to the pro cell-death proteins and inactivating them to help the cells live longer. Meant to promote cell growth in general, the VDAC proteins act as gatekeepers, binding themselves to the pro cell-death proteins and inactivating them to help the cells live longer.
VDACs are of three kinds — identified as 1, 2 and 3. All of them function as gatekeepers and ion transporters, but it is the VDAC2 that can bind with and inactivate another protein that, if left alone, can allow a cell to die.
The differences between VDAC 1,2,3 can be used to elicit VDAC-specific function, so that the cell decides whether to live or die.
VDAC2 has 11 extra amino acids compared with the other two. She removed these 11 amino acids and tested the protein and it behaved like VDAC1, which does not have these 11 extra acids.
So that it will be used to target the differences to let each VDAC do the work we desire

VDAC in Cancer Treatment

Cancer spreads in the body due to unchecked growth of diseased cells. But did you know there are some kinds of proteins that help cells, including diseased cells, die?
These death-hastening proteins, if left alone, would rampage through the body, killing even the good cells.
Special type of ‘membrane proteins’ called VDAC can be used to treat cancer.
Diseased cells die quickly by interfering it with the VDAC2 function that let the diseased cells die.