The antiarrhythmic compound efsevin directly modulates voltage-dependent anion channel 2 by binding to its inner wall and enhancing mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake.

In summary, our data indicate a direct interaction of efsevin with VDAC2 inside the channel pore that leads to modified gating and results in enhanced SR-mitochondria Ca2+ transfer. This study sheds new light on the function of VDAC2 and provides a basis for structure-aided chemical optimization of efsevin.