Genomic survey and gene expression analysis of the VDAC gene family in rice
The voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), also known as a mitochondrial porin, plays an important role in the regulation of metabolic and energetic functions of mitochondria, as well as in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is of major economic importance for commercial hybrid production and a research model for the interaction between nuclear and cytoplasmic genomes. Recent research has revealed that CMS is associated with programmed cell death.