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Related Concept Videos

Secondary Active Transport01:32

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme "pump" embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
Secondary Active Transport01:32

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme "pump" embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
Secondary Active Transport01:55

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme “pump” embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
Active Transport01:14

Active Transport

Active transport is a critical biological process that allows cells to move solutes against an electrochemical gradient. This process requires direct energy input and is characterized by its selectivity, saturability, and susceptibility to competitive inhibition.
Primary active transporters, like Na+, K+ and -ATPase, directly utilize ATP to move ions across the membrane. These transporters play significant roles in various physiological processes. For instance, Na+, K+ and -ATPase maintain...
Primary Active Transport01:29

Primary Active Transport

In contrast to passive transport, active transport involves a substance being moved through membranes in a direction against its concentration or electrochemical gradient. There are two types of active transport: primary active transport and secondary active transport. Primary active transport utilizes chemical energy from ATP to drive protein pumps embedded in the cell membrane. With energy from ATP, the pumps transport ions against their electrochemical gradients—a direction they would not...
Primary Active Transport01:47

Primary Active Transport

In contrast to passive transport, active transport involves a substance being moved through membranes in a direction against its concentration or electrochemical gradient. There are two types of active transport: primary active transport and secondary active transport. Primary active transport utilizes chemical energy from ATP to drive protein pumps that are embedded in the cell membrane. With energy from ATP, the pumps transport ions against their electrochemical gradients—a direction they...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Selection of Transporter-Targeted Inhibitory Nanobodies by Solid-Supported-Membrane (SSM)-Based Electrophysiology
09:12

Selection of Transporter-Targeted Inhibitory Nanobodies by Solid-Supported-Membrane (SSM)-Based Electrophysiology

Published on: May 3, 2021

Structural perspectives on secondary active transporters.

Olga Boudker1, Grégory Verdon

  • 1Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY 10021, USA. olb2003@med.cornell.edu

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
|July 27, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Secondary active transporters move molecules across membranes using ion energy. Recent structural studies reveal common mechanisms and similarities among diverse transporters, aiding understanding of their function.

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Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Selection of Transporter-Targeted Inhibitory Nanobodies by Solid-Supported-Membrane (SSM)-Based Electrophysiology
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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology
  • Membrane Transport

Background:

  • Secondary active transporters utilize electrochemical ion gradients for substrate translocation across cellular membranes.
  • These proteins undergo significant conformational changes to facilitate transport.
  • Recent advancements in structural biology have provided snapshots of transporters in various functional states.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on bacterial secondary transporters.
  • To highlight emerging structural and mechanistic similarities among evolutionarily diverse transporters.
  • To discuss the structural basis of substrate binding, ion coupling, and inhibition.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of recent crystal structures of bacterial secondary transporters.
  • Comparative structural analysis across different transporter families.
  • Integration of structural data with mechanistic insights.

Main Results:

  • Identification of conserved structural motifs and conformational changes across diverse secondary transporters.
  • Insights into the molecular mechanisms of substrate recognition and translocation.
  • Structural basis for ion coupling and the action of inhibitors elucidated.

Conclusions:

  • Evolutionarily diverse secondary transporters share fundamental structural and mechanistic principles.
  • Structural biology provides a powerful lens to understand transporter function, substrate binding, and ion coupling.
  • Emerging similarities offer a unified framework for studying membrane transport proteins.