Nitrogen isotope signature evidences ammonium deprotonation as a common transport mechanism for the AMT-Mep-Rh protein superfamily.

ABSTRACT: Ammonium is an important nitrogen (N) source for living organisms, a key metabolite for pH control, and a potent cytotoxic compound. Ammonium is transported by the widespread AMT-Mep-Rh membrane proteins, and despite their significance in physiological processes, the nature of substrate translocation (NH₃/NH₄⁺) by the distinct members of this family is still a matter of controversy. Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells expressing representative AMT-Mep-Rh ammonium carriers and taking advantage of the natural chemical-physical property of the N isotopic signature linked to NH₄⁺/NH₃ conversion, this study shows that only cells expressing AMT-Mep-Rh proteins were depleted in ¹⁵N relative to ¹⁴N when

SUBMITTER: Ariz I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6135547 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature