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High-Throughput Expression and Purification of Human Solute Carriers for Structural and Biochemical Studies
Published on: September 29, 2023
ABC transporters: the power to change
Douglas C Rees1, Eric Johnson, Oded Lewinson
1Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 114-96, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA. dcrees@caltech.edu
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|February 24, 2009
Summary
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters move substrates across membranes using ATP. New structural insights into prokaryotic ABC transporters aim to build quantitative models of their transport mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are essential membrane proteins.
- They utilize ATP hydrolysis to move diverse substrates across cellular membranes.
- The conserved ATP-binding domains power transport, while variable transmembrane domains form the substrate pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of ABC transporter function.
- To develop quantitative models for ATP-driven substrate translocation.
- To integrate structural and kinetic data for a comprehensive understanding.
Main Methods:
- Leveraging recent structural studies of prokaryotic ABC transporters.
- Developing kinetic and molecular models.
- Analyzing the coupling of ATP hydrolysis to substrate transport.
Main Results:
- A qualitative molecular framework for the ABC transporter cycle has been established.
- Advances in structural biology provide insights into transporter architecture.
- The variability of transmembrane domains influences substrate specificity.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative models are crucial for understanding ABC transporter mechanisms.
- Deciphering the coupling of ATP binding/hydrolysis to translocation is a key goal.
- Further research will refine our understanding of these vital proteins.
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01:31ABC Transporters: Exporter
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01:27ABC Transporters: Importer
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In bacteria, based on the number of transmembrane helices and the chemical nature of their substrates, the ABC importers can be divided into three types:
01:14Active Transport
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01:06Carrier-Mediated Transport
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