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Structure and function of facilitative sugar transporters.
M P Barrett1, A R Walmsley, G W Gould
1Divisions of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK. M.Barrett@bio.gla.ac.uk
Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|August 17, 1999
Summary
Sugar transporters utilize a common pore structure within the major facilitator superfamily. Mutagenesis studies suggest models for lactose permease are applicable to diverse sugar transporters, revealing functional insights.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Structural Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The major facilitator superfamily (MFS) encompasses numerous membrane transporters.
- A conserved central pore is a key feature of MFS transporters.
- Functional diversity arises from variations in the pore or associated regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the conserved structural elements of sugar transporters within the MFS.
- To explore how alterations to the central pore contribute to transporter functionality.
- To evaluate the applicability of existing models to diverse MFS sugar transporters.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mutagenesis studies on sugar transporters.
- Applied theoretical models derived from the lactose permease.
- Analyzed structural and functional implications of genetic alterations.
Main Results:
- Identified a conserved central pore structure common to sugar transporters in the MFS.
- Demonstrated that modifications to this pore influence transporter function.
- Mutagenesis data supports the lactose permease model as a paradigm for other MFS members.
Conclusions:
- The central pore is a critical conserved feature in MFS sugar transporters.
- The lactose permease model provides a valuable framework for understanding diverse MFS transporter mechanisms.
- Further research can leverage these insights to elucidate transporter function and design.