Voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 1 mRNA (VDAC1 mRNA)

Voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 1 (VDAC1) mRNA is the transcript responsible for the synthesis of the VDAC1 protein, the most abundant porin in the outer mitochondrial membrane (UniProt P21796). This protein acts as a primary gatekeeper for the flux of ions and metabolites, such as ATP and calcium, between the mitochondria and the cytosol, thereby playing a central role in cellular energy metabolism and apoptosis (Shoshan-Barmatz et al., 2017). In many cancers, VDAC1 mRNA is significantly upregulated to support the high metabolic demands of rapidly proliferating cells and to inhibit mitochondrial-mediated cell death (PubMed: 28105114). Therapeutic strategies targeting VDAC1 mRNA involve the use of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to silence the gene and deplete the VDAC1 protein (NIH: Gene ID 7416). This depletion leads to a collapse in mitochondrial function, a decrease in ATP production, and the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells. While promising, the development of these therapies faces challenges such as ensuring efficient delivery to target tissues and minimizing off-target effects that could impair mitochondrial function in healthy cells.

Other names

VDAC-1 mRNAMitochondrial porin 1 mRNAPorin 31HL mRNAPlasmalemmal porin mRNA

Gene silencing via RNA interference (RNAi) or antisense-mediated mRNA degradation, which reduces the translation of VDAC1 protein, leading to impaired mitochondrial metabolite exchange and induction of apoptosis.