VDAC2

Non-selective voltage-gated ion channel that mediates the transport of anions and cations through the mitochondrion outer membrane and plasma membrane (PubMed:8420959). The channel adopts an open conformation at zero mV and a closed conformation at both positive and negative potentials (PubMed:8420959). There are two populations of channels; the main that functions in a lower open-state conductance with lower ion selectivity, that switch, in a voltage-dependent manner, from the open to a low-conducting 'closed' state and the other that has a normal ion selectivity in the typical high conductance, 'open' state (PubMed:8420959). Binds various lipids, including the sphingolipid ceramide, the phospholipid phosphatidylcholine, and the sterols cholesterol and oxysterol (PubMed:31015432). Binding of ceramide promotes the mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) apoptotic pathway (PubMed:31015432). Catalyzes the scrambling of phospholipids across the outer mitochondrial membrane; the mechanism is unrelated to channel activity and is capable of translocating both anionic and zwitterionic phospholipids.