Molecular simulations elucidate the substrate translocation pathway in a glutamate transporter.

ABSTRACT: Glutamate transporters are membrane proteins found in neurons and glial cells, which play a critical role in regulating cell signaling by clearing glutamate released from synapses. Although extensive biochemical and structural studies have shed light onto different aspects of glutamate transport, the time-resolved molecular mechanism of substrate (glutamate or aspartate) translocation, that is, the sequence of events occurring at the atomic level after substrate binding and before its release intracellularly remain to be elucidated. We identify an energetically preferred permeation pathway of approximately 23 A between the helix HP1b on the hairpin HP1 and the transmembrane helices TM7 and TM8, using the high resolution structure of the transporter from Pyrococcus horikoshii (Glt(Ph)) in s

SUBMITTER: Gu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2637273 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature