The Origin of Coupled Chloride and Proton Transport in a Cl^-/H⁺ Antiporter.

ABSTRACT: The ClC family of transmembrane proteins functions throughout nature to control the transport of Cl^- ions across biological membranes. ClC-ec1 from Escherichia coli is an antiporter, coupling the transport of Cl^- and H⁺ ions in opposite directions and driven by the concentration gradients of the ions. Despite keen interest in this protein, the molecular mechanism of the Cl^-/H⁺ coupling has not been fully elucidated. Here, we have used multiscale simulation to help identify the essential mechanism of the Cl^-/H⁺ coupling. We find that the highest barrier for proton transport (PT) from the intra- to extracellular solution is attributable to a chemical reaction, the deprotonation of glutamic acid 148 (E148). This barr

SUBMITTER: Lee S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5114699 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature