An Asymmetric Conformational Change in LacY

Galactoside/H⁺ symport by the lactose permease of Escherichia coli (LacY) involves reciprocal opening and closing of periplasmic and cytoplasmic cavities so that sugar- and H⁺-binding sites become alternatively accessible to either side of the membrane. After reconstitution into proteoliposomes, LacY with the periplasmic cavity sealed by cross-linking paired-Cys residues does not bind sugar from the periplasmic side. However, reduction of the S-S bond restores opening of the periplasmic cavity and galactoside binding. Furthermore, nanobodies that stabilize the double-Cys mutant in a periplasmic-open conformation and allow free access of galactoside to the binding site do so only after reduction of the S-S bond. In contrast, when cross-linked LacY is solubilized in detergent, galactoside binding is observed, indicating that the cytoplasmic cavity is patent. Sugar binding from the cytoplasmic side exhibits nonlinear stopped-flow kinetics, and analysis reveals a two-step process in which a conformational change precedes binding. Because the cytoplasmic cavity is spontaneously closing and opening in the symporter with a sealed periplasmic cavity, it is apparent that an asymmetrical conformational transition controls access of sugar to the binding site.