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The transporter classification (TC) system, 2002.

Wolfgang Busch1, Milton H Saier

  • 1Division of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0116, USA.

Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|November 27, 2002
PubMed
Summary

The Transporter Classification system categorizes transmembrane transport proteins. Analysis reveals distinct structural features between channels and carriers, with bacterial transporter families significantly outnumbering eukaryotic ones.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • The Transporter Classification (TC) system provides a functional/phylogenetic framework for transmembrane transport proteins.
  • The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) has adopted the TC system for transporter classification.
  • The EC system classifies enzymes, while the TC system classifies transporters.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the nearly 400 families within the TC system.
  • To perform statistical analyses on transporter families and their constituent proteins.
  • To investigate size, topological differences, and organismal distribution of transporters.

Main Methods:

  • Statistical analysis of transporter families and proteins.

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  • Comparative analysis of transporter types (channels vs. carriers).
  • Examination of organismal sources and numbers of transporter members.

    • Main Results:

    • Channels and carriers display distinct structural and topological characteristics.
    • Bacterial-specific transporter families are twice as numerous as eukaryotic-specific families.
    • Ubiquitous transporter families are half as numerous as eukaryotic-specific families.

    Conclusions:

    • The TC system offers a comprehensive classification of transmembrane transporters.
    • Transporter evolution shows domain-specific expansion, particularly in bacteria.
    • Limited horizontal gene transfer between domains of life is suggested for transporters over the last 2 billion years.