Member database | PROSITE patterns |
PROSITE patterns type | conserved site |
Short name | EUKARYOTIC_PORIN |
Description
The major protein of the outer mitochondrial membrane of eukaryotes is a
porin that forms a voltage-dependent anion-selective channel (VDAC) that
behaves as a general diffusion pore for small hydrophilic molecules
[1][2][3].
The channel adopts an open conformation at low or zero membrane potential and
a closed conformation at potentials above 30-40 mV.
This protein contains about 280 amino acids and its sequence is composed of
between 12 to 16 beta-strands that span the mitochondrial outer membrane.
Yeast contains two members of this family (genes POR1 and POR2); vertebrates
have at least three members (genes VDAC1, VDAC2 and VDAC3)
[4].
As a signature pattern we selected a conserved region located at the C-
terminal part of these proteins.
References
1.Permeation of hydrophilic solutes through mitochondrial outer membranes: review on mitochondrial porins. Benz R. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1197, 167-96, (1994). View articlePMID: 8031826
2.The biogenesis and function of eukaryotic porins. Dihanich M. Experientia 46, 146-53, (1990). View articlePMID: 1689252
3.Molecular genetics of the VDAC ion channel: structural model and sequence analysis. Forte M, Guy HR, Mannella CA. J. Bioenerg. Biomembr. 19, 341-50, (1987). View articlePMID: 2442148
4.A novel mouse mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel gene localizes to chromosome 8. Sampson MJ, Lovell RS, Davison DB, Craigen WJ. Genomics 36, 192-6, (1996). View articlePMID: 8812436