Structural basis of omega-3 fatty acid transport across the blood-brain barrier.

ABSTRACT: Docosahexaenoic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid that is essential for neurological development and function, and it is supplied to the brain and eyes predominantly from dietary sources^1-6. This nutrient is transported across the blood-brain and blood-retina barriers in the form of lysophosphatidylcholine by major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A (MFSD2A) in a Na⁺-dependent manner^7,8. Here we present the structure of MFSD2A determined using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, which reveals twelve transmembrane helices that are separated into two pseudosymmetric domains. The transporter is in an inward-facing conformation and features a large amphipathic cavity that contains the Na⁺-binding site and a bound lysolipid substrate, whic

SUBMITTER: Cater RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8266758 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature