VDAC1 and Alzheimer disease: In conclusion (Fig. 9), we demonstrated the crucial role of Pirh2 in mitochondrial functionality primarily through regulating the cytochrome c translocation, modulating the VDAC1 functioning and other mitochondrial proteins that participate in the maintenance of mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial transition pore formation during STZ or Aβ1–42 induced AD pathogenesis.