Date of Award
August 2020
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Engineering
First Advisor
Devendra Misra
Second Advisor
Ranjan Dash
Committee Members
Veysi Malkoc
Keywords
Computational Biology, Mitochondria, OMM, Outer mitochondrial membrane, VDAC, Voltage Dependent Anion Channel
Abstract
The voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) is a voltage gated channel residing on the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) that facilitates the flow of metabolites between the cytosol and mitochondria. The channel is regulated through conformational changes driven by electrostatic effects along with numerous regulatory mechanisms. The aim of this study is to mechanistically model kinetics of substrate flow through VDAC and incorporate them into existing mechanistic computational models of mitochondrial function. The resulting model is used in two ways: 1) to establish mitochondrial bioenergetics (conductance, permeability, and current/flux) under physiological conditions, and 2) to conduct perturbations simulating the effect of altered VDAC kinetics (resulting in altered membrane permeabilities and substrate fluxes) by cellular regulatory changes (such channel closure) on overall mitochondrial function.
Recommended Citation
Shah, Viren, "Deterministic Model of the Voltage Dependent Anion Channel (VDAC) Kinetics" (2020). Theses and Dissertations. 3099.
https://dc.uwm.edu/etd/3099