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Related Concept Videos

Facilitated Diffusion01:16

Facilitated Diffusion

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The plasma membrane, a critical structure in cellular biology, houses an array of transporters, or carrier proteins, interspersed within its lipid bilayer. These proteins play a crucial role in solute transport through facilitated diffusion, a form of passive diffusion that uses transporters to move the molecules across the membrane.
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The chemical and physical properties of plasma membranes cause them to be selectively permeable. Since plasma membranes have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, substances need to be able to transverse both regions. The hydrophobic area of membranes repels substances such as charged ions. Therefore, such substances need special membrane proteins to cross a membrane successfully. In  facilitated transport, also known as facilitated diffusion, molecules and ions travel across a...
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Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
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Introduction to Solid Supported Membrane Based Electrophysiology
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Structural basis for the facilitative diffusion mechanism by SemiSWEET transporter.

Yongchan Lee1, Tomohiro Nishizawa2, Keitaro Yamashita3

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.

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|January 20, 2015
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Researchers elucidated the transport mechanism of SemiSWEET proteins, revealing how the conserved PQ-loop motif acts as a hinge. This provides a framework for understanding sugar transport in SWEET and PQ-loop family proteins.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • SWEET proteins facilitate sugar transport in plants and animals.
  • SWEETs and bacterial SemiSWEETs belong to the PQ-loop family, defined by conserved PQ-loop motifs.
  • Previous studies lacked insight into SemiSWEET conformational changes and the role of the PQ-loop motif in transport.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the structures of bacterial SemiSWEET from Escherichia coli in different conformational states.
  • To elucidate the role of the conserved PQ-loop motif in the transport mechanism of SemiSWEET proteins.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography was used to obtain high-resolution structures of SemiSWEET.
  • Structural comparison of inward-open and outward-open states was performed.

Main Results:

  • Crystal structures of SemiSWEET in both inward-open and outward-open states were determined.
  • SemiSWEET was observed to undergo intramolecular conformational changes within each protomer.
  • The conserved PQ-loop motif was identified as a molecular hinge facilitating a 'binder clip-like' motion.

Conclusions:

  • The study reveals the molecular mechanism of SemiSWEET conformational transitions.
  • The PQ-loop motif is crucial for the transport cycle, acting as a hinge.
  • This work establishes a structural framework for understanding SWEET and PQ-loop family protein transport.