Seminar

Shared Molecular Mechanisms of Membrane Transporters

Prof. David Drew

Crystal structures of small-molecule transporters have shed light on the conformational changes that take place during structural isomerization from outward to inward-facing states. Rather than simple "rocking" movement of two bundles around a central substrate-binding site, it has become clear that even the most simplistic transporters utilize non rigid-body rearrangements. In the most dramatic cases the substrate come 18 A across the membrane - referred to here as an "elevator" alternating-access mechanism. With the focus on facilitative glucose (GLUT) transporters and sodium/proton exchangers he will highlight common themes and novel refinements to the basic alternating access model.