VDAC: the wizard of mitochondrial OM

Voltage dependent anion channels (VDAC) are the most abundant proteins in the outer mitochondrial membrane. Although they are essential in metabolite exchange, cell defense and apoptosis, the molecular mechanism of these VDAC-mediated processes remains elusive. Here we review recent progress in terms of VDACs' structure and regulation with a special focus on the molecular aspects of gating and the interaction with effector proteins.