A partially-open inward-facing intermediate conformation of LeuT is associated with Na⁺ release and substrate transport.

ABSTRACT: Neurotransmitter:sodium symporters (NSS), targets of antidepressants and psychostimulants, clear neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft through sodium (Na⁺)-coupled transport. Substrate and Na⁺ are thought to be transported from the extracellular to intracellular space through an alternating access mechanism by coordinated conformational rearrangements in the symporter that alternately expose the binding sites to each side of the membrane. However, the mechanism by which the binding of ligands coordinates conformational changes occurring on opposite sides of the membrane is not well understood. Here, we report the use of single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) techniques to image transitions between distinct conformational states on both the

SUBMITTER: Terry DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5768729 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature