Structural highlights
Function
GLT_PYRHO Sodium-dependent, high-affinity amino acid transporter that mediates aspartate uptake (PubMed:17435767, PubMed:19380583, PubMed:17230192, Ref.11). Has only very low glutamate transport activity (PubMed:19380583, PubMed:17230192). Functions as a symporter that transports one amino acid molecule together with two or three Na(+) ions, resulting in electrogenic transport (PubMed:17435767, PubMed:19380583, Ref.11). Na(+) binding enhances the affinity for aspartate (PubMed:19380583, Ref.11). Mediates Cl(-) flux that is not coupled to amino acid transport; this avoids the accumulation of negative charges due to aspartate and Na(+) symport (PubMed:17435767). In contrast to mammalian homologs, transport does not depend on pH or K(+) ions (PubMed:19380583).[1] [2] [3] [PDB:4P19]
Publication Abstract from PubMed
Secondary active membrane transporters harness the energy of ion gradients to concentrate their substrates. Homologous transporters evolved to couple transport to different ions in response to changing environments and needs. The bases of such diversification, and thus principles of ion coupling, are unexplored. Employing phylogenetics and ancestral protein reconstruction, we investigated sodium-coupled transport in prokaryotic glutamate transporters, a mechanism ubiquitous across life domains and critical to neurotransmitter recycling in humans. We found that the evolutionary transition from sodium-dependent to independent substrate binding to the transporter preceded changes in the coupling mechanism. Structural and functional experiments suggest that the transition entailed allosteric mutations, making sodium binding dispensable without affecting ion-binding sites. Allosteric tuning of transporters' energy landscapes might be a widespread route of their functional diversification.
Evolutionary analysis reveals the origin of sodium coupling in glutamate transporters.,Reddy KD, Rasool B, Akher FB, Kutlesic N, Pant S, Boudker O bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2024 Apr 25:2023.12.03.569786. doi: , 10.1101/2023.12.03.569786. PMID:38106174[4]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Boudker O, Ryan RM, Yernool D, Shimamoto K, Gouaux E. Coupling substrate and ion binding to extracellular gate of a sodium-dependent aspartate transporter. Nature. 2007 Jan 25;445(7126):387-93. Epub 2007 Jan 17. PMID:17230192 doi:10.1038/nature05455
- ↑ Ryan RM, Mindell JA. The uncoupled chloride conductance of a bacterial glutamate transporter homolog. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2007 May;14(5):365-71. doi: 10.1038/nsmb1230. Epub 2007 Apr , 15. PMID:17435767 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nsmb1230
- ↑ Ryan RM, Compton EL, Mindell JA. Functional characterization of a Na+-dependent aspartate transporter from Pyrococcus horikoshii. J Biol Chem. 2009 Jun 26;284(26):17540-8. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.005926. Epub 2009, Apr 20. PMID:19380583 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M109.005926
- ↑ Reddy KD, Rasool B, Akher FB, Kutlešić N, Pant S, Boudker O. Evolutionary analysis reveals the origin of sodium coupling in glutamate transporters. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2024 Apr 25:2023.12.03.569786. PMID:38106174 doi:10.1101/2023.12.03.569786