Heteromeric amino acid transporters. In search of the molecular bases of transport cycle mechanisms1

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 745-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Palacín ◽  
Ekaitz Errasti-Murugarren ◽  
Albert Rosell
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Disulfide Bridge ◽  
Structural Knowledge ◽  
Amino Acid Transporters ◽  
Subunit Interactions ◽  
Transport Cycle ◽  
Functional Relevance ◽  
The One ◽  
Molecular Bases ◽  
Solute Transporters

Heteromeric amino acid transporters (HATs) are relevant targets for structural studies. On the one hand, HATs are involved in inherited and acquired human pathologies. On the other hand, these molecules are the only known examples of solute transporters composed of two subunits (heavy and light) linked by a disulfide bridge. Unfortunately, structural knowledge of HATs is scarce and limited to the atomic structure of the ectodomain of a heavy subunit (human 4F2hc-ED) and distant prokaryotic homologues of the light subunits that share a LeuT-fold. Recent data on human 4F2hc/LAT2 at nanometer resolution revealed 4F2hc-ED positioned on top of the external loops of the light subunit LAT2. Improved resolution of the structure of HATs, combined with conformational studies, is essential to establish the structural bases for light subunit recognition and to evaluate the functional relevance of heavy and light subunit interactions for the amino acid transport cycle.

scholarly journals Rush Hour of LATs towards Their Transport Cycle

Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 602
Author(s):  
Adrià Nicolàs-Aragó ◽  
Joana Fort ◽  
Manuel Palacín ◽  
Ekaitz Errasti-Murugarren
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Structural Biology ◽  
Amino Acid Transporters ◽  
Functional Information ◽  
Cationic Amino Acid ◽  
Substrate Interaction ◽  
Transport Cycle ◽  
Remote Homologs ◽  
Molecular Bases

The mammalian SLC7 family comprises the L-amino acid transporters (LATs) and the cationic amino acid transporters (CATs). The relevance of these transporters is highlighted by their involvement in several human pathologies, including inherited rare diseases and acquired diseases, such as cancer. In the last four years, several crystal or cryo-EM structures of LATs and CATs have been solved. These structures have started to fill our knowledge gap that previously was based on the structural biology of remote homologs of the amino acid–polyamine–organocation (APC) transporters. This review recovers this structural and functional information to start generating the molecular bases of the transport cycle of LATs. Special attention is given to the known transporter conformations within the transport cycle and the molecular bases for substrate interaction and translocation, including the asymmetric interaction of substrates at both sides of the plasma membrane.

scholarly journals Volta Phase Plate Cryo-EM Structure of the Human Heterodimeric Amino Acid Transporter 4F2hc-LAT2

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Marc Jeckelmann ◽  
Dimitrios Fotiadis
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Methylotrophic Yeast ◽  
Disulfide Bridge ◽  
Phase Plate ◽  
Amino Acid Transporters ◽  
Loss Of Function

Heteromeric amino acid transporters (HATs) are protein complexes that catalyze the transport of amino acids across plasma membranes. HATs are composed of two subunits, a heavy and a light subunit, which belong to the solute carrier (SLC) families SLC3 and SLC7. The two subunits are linked by a conserved disulfide bridge. Several human diseases are associated with loss of function or overexpression of specific HATs making them drug targets. The human HAT 4F2hc-LAT2 (SLC3A2-SLC7A8) is specific for the transport of large neutral L-amino acids and specific amino acid-related compounds. Human 4F2hc-LAT2 can be functionally overexpressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris and pure recombinant protein purified. Here we present the first cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) 3D-map of a HAT, i.e., of the human 4F2hc-LAT2 complex. The structure could be determined at ~13 Å resolution using direct electron detector and Volta phase plate technologies. The 3D-map displays two prominent densities of different sizes. The available X-ray structure of the 4F2hc ectodomain fitted nicely into the smaller density revealing the relative position of 4F2hc with respect to LAT2 and the membrane plane.

Heteromeric amino acid transporters: biochemistry, genetics, and physiology

2001 ◽  
Vol 281 (6) ◽  
pp. F995-F1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josep Chillarón ◽  
Ramón Roca ◽  
Alfonso Valencia ◽  
Antonio Zorzano ◽  
Manuel Palacín
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Transport ◽  
Human Genetics ◽  
Disulfide Bridge ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Amino Acid Transporters ◽  
Acid Transport ◽  
Membrane Glycoproteins ◽  
Cell Functions

The heteromeric amino acid transporters (HATs) are composed of two polypeptides: a heavy subunit (HSHAT) and a light subunit (LSHAT) linked by a disulfide bridge. HSHATs are N-glycosylated type II membrane glycoproteins, whereas LSHATs are nonglycosylated polytopic membrane proteins. The HSHATs have been known since 1992, and the LSHATs have been described in the last three years. HATs represent several of the classic mammalian amino acid transport systems (e.g., L isoforms, y+L isoforms, asc, x[Formula: see text], and b0,+). Members of the HAT family are the molecular bases of inherited primary aminoacidurias cystinuria and lysinuric protein intolerance. In addition to the role in amino acid transport, one HSHAT [the heavy subunit of the cell-surface antigen 4F2 (also named CD98)] is involved in other cell functions that might be related to integrin activation. This review covers the biochemistry, human genetics, and cell physiology of HATs, including the multifunctional character of CD98.

Function and structure of heterodimeric amino acid transporters

2001 ◽  
Vol 281 (4) ◽  
pp. C1077-C1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten A. Wagner ◽  
Florian Lang ◽  
Stefan Bröer
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Heavy Chain ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Disulfide Bridge ◽  
Amino Acid Transporter ◽  
Light Chains ◽  
Amino Acid Transporters ◽  
Amino Acid Transport System ◽  
Acid Transporter

Heterodimeric amino acid transporters are comprised of two subunits, a polytopic membrane protein (light chain) and an associated type II membrane protein (heavy chain). The heavy chain rbAT (related to b0,+ amino acid transporter) associates with the light chain b0,+AT (b0,+ amino acid transporter) to form the amino acid transport system b0,+, whereas the homologous heavy chain 4F2hc interacts with several light chains to form system L (with LAT1 and LAT2), system y+L (with y+LAT1 and y+LAT2), system x[Formula: see text](with xAT), or system asc (with asc1). The association of light chains with the two heavy chains is not unambiguous. rbAT may interact with LAT2 and y+LAT1 and vice versa; 4F2hc may interact with b0,+AT when overexpressed. 4F2hc is necessary for trafficking of the light chain to the plasma membrane, whereas the light chains are thought to determine the transport characteristics of the respective heterodimer. In contrast to 4F2hc, mutations in rbAT suggest that rbAT itself takes part in the transport besides serving for the trafficking of the light chain to the cell surface. Heavy and light subunits are linked together by a disulfide bridge. The disulfide bridge, however, is not necessary for the trafficking of rbAT or 4F2 heterodimers to the membrane or for the functioning of the transporter. However, there is experimental evidence that the disulfide bridge in the 4F2hc/LAT1 heterodimer plays a role in the regulation of a cation channel. These results highlight complex interactions between the different subunits of heterodimeric amino acid transporters and suggest that despite high grades of homology, the interactions between rbAT and 4F2hc and their respective partners may be different.

Structural Changes in Prothrombin during Activation: A Theory

1970 ◽  
Vol 23 (01) ◽  
pp. 026-036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter H. Seegers ◽  
Genesio Murano ◽  
Lowell McCoy
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Polypeptide Chain ◽  
Disulfide Bridge ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Analytical Reagents ◽  
Terminal Amino ◽  
The One ◽  
Autoprothrombin C

SummaryProperties of the thrombin zymogen are quite different when in the form of prothrombin complex, DEAE-prothrombin (prothrombin) or prethrombin. When removed from the prothrombin complex, prothrombin spontaneously became refractory to the two-stage analytical reagents. No new N-terminal amino acids formed in association with this activation. A first step in prothrombin activation might be related to conformation. Repeatedly one mole of alanine was found as N-terminal amino acid for prothrombin and it is thus a single chain protein. Prethrombin did not have this alanine, but lysine and threonine, were found. Prethrombin, like thrombin, thus had two chains. After the conversion of prethrombin to thrombin with purified autoprothrombin C, a new N-terminal alanine amino acid was found attached to a peptide. Additionally peptides with N-terminal serine, lysine, and glycine were found. Threonine and isoleucine were again found as the N-terminal amino acids for 3.7 S thrombin and 3.2 S thrombin. As a working hypothesis, a perspective on the possible structure of prothrombin is outlined on the basis that it contains two moles of thrombin. Prethrombin probably forms when Ala1-peptide splits from a polypeptide chain which forms a loop held together by a disulfide bridge. Proteolysis probably also occurs in this loop. The postulated disulfide bridge would be the one which holds the A and B chains of thrombin together. In the conversion of prethrombin to thrombin, the first mole of thrombin would be set free. Then the Ala2-peptide released might correspond to the Ala1-peptide removed when prethrombin originally formed. Ala2-peptide thus would be related to the second mole of thrombin which could arise by further proteolysis including a split in the loop held together by a disulfide bridge. It is postulated that acidic peptides are attached to the main prothrombin polypeptide chain, to prethrombin, and to 3.7 S thrombin as satellite material.

scholarly journals Microscopic Characterization of the Chloride Permeation Pathway in the Human Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 1 (EAAT1)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shashank Pant ◽  
Qianyi Wu ◽  
Renae M Ryan ◽  
Emad Tajkhorshid
Keyword(s):  
Free Energy ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Excitatory Amino Acid ◽  
Free Energy Calculations ◽  
Amino Acid Transporters ◽  
Coupled Transport ◽  
Energy Calculations ◽  
Transport Cycle

Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are glutamate transporters that belong to the solute carrier 1A (SLC1A) family. They couple glutamate transport to the co-transport of three sodium (Na+) ions and one proton (H+) and the counter-transport of one potassium (K+) ion. In addition to this coupled transport, binding of substrate and Na+ ions to EAATs activates a thermodynamically uncoupled chloride (Cl-) conductance. Structures of SLC1A family members have revealed that these transporters use a twisting elevator mechanism of transport, where a mobile transport domain carries substrate and coupled ions across the membrane, while a static scaffold domain anchors the transporter in the membrane. We have recently demonstrated that the uncoupled Cl- conductance is activated by the formation of an aqueous pore at the domain interface during the transport cycle in archaeal GltPh. However, a pathway for the uncoupled Cl- conductance has not been reported for the EAATs and it is unclear if such a pathway is conserved. Here, we employ all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations combined with enhanced sampling, free-energy calculations, and experimental mutagenesis to approximate large-scale conformational changes during the transport process and identified a Cl- conducting conformation in human EAAT1. We were able to extensively sample the large-scale structural transitions, allowing us to capture an intermediate conformation formed during the transport cycle with a continuous aqueous pore at the domain interface. The free-energy calculations performed for the conduction of Cl- and Na+ ions through the captured conformation, highlight the presence of two hydrophobic gates which control the selective movement of Cl- through the aqueous pathway. Overall, our findings provide insights into the mechanism by which a human glutamate transporter can support the dual functions of active transport and passive Cl- permeation and confirming the commonality of this mechanism in different members of the SLC1A family.

scholarly journals Localization and Functional Relevance of System A Neutral Amino Acid Transporters in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

2002 ◽  
Vol 277 (12) ◽  
pp. 10467-10473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Armano ◽  
Silvia Coco ◽  
Alberto Bacci ◽  
Elena Pravettoni ◽  
Ursula Schenk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Neutral Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Transporters ◽  
System A ◽  
Functional Relevance ◽  
Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

scholarly journals Sub-Nanometer Cryo-EM Density Map of the Human Heterodimeric Amino Acid Transporter 4F2hc-LAT2

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (19) ◽  
pp. 7094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Marc Jeckelmann ◽  
Dimitrios Fotiadis
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Methylotrophic Yeast ◽  
Homology Model ◽  
Disulfide Bridge ◽  
Amino Acid Transporter ◽  
Amino Acid Transporters ◽  
Density Map ◽  
Acid Transporter

Heterodimeric amino acid transporters (HATs) are protein complexes mediating the transport of amino acids and derivatives thereof across biological membranes. HATs are composed of two subunits, a heavy and a light chain subunit belonging to the solute carrier (SLC) families SLC3 and SLC7. The human HAT 4F2hc-LAT2 is composed of the type-II membrane N-glycoprotein 4F2hc (SCL3A2) and the L-type amino acid transporter LAT2 (SLC7A8), which are covalently linked to each other by a conserved disulfide bridge. Whereas LAT2 catalyzes substrate transport, 4F2hc is important for the successful trafficking of the transporter to the plasma membrane. The overexpression, malfunction, or absence of 4F2hc-LAT2 is associated with human diseases, and therefore, this heterodimeric complex represents a potential drug target. The recombinant human 4F2hc-LAT2 can be functionally overexpressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, and the protein can be purified. Here, we present the cryo-EM density map of the human 4F2hc-LAT2 amino acid transporter at sub-nanometer resolution. A homology model of 4F2hc-LAT2 in the inward-open conformation was generated and fitted into the cryo-EM density and analyzed. In addition, disease-causing point mutations in human LAT2 were mapped on the homology model of 4F2hc-LAT2, and the possible functional implications on the molecular level are discussed.

scholarly journals Cryo-EM structure of the human heteromeric amino acid transporter b0,+AT-rBAT

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (16) ◽  
pp. eaay6379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renhong Yan ◽  
Yaning Li ◽  
Yi Shi ◽  
Jiayao Zhou ◽  
Jianlin Lei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Heavy Chain ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Disulfide Bridge ◽  
Ligand Molecule ◽  
Amino Acid Transporters ◽  
Cationic Amino Acids

Heteromeric amino acid transporters (HATs) catalyze the transmembrane movement of amino acids, comprising two subunits, a heavy chain and a light chain, linked by a disulfide bridge. The b0,+AT (SLC7A9) is a representative light chain of HATs, forming heterodimer with rBAT, a heavy chain which mediates the membrane trafficking of b0,+AT. The b0,+AT-rBAT complex is an obligatory exchanger, which mediates the influx of cystine and cationic amino acids and the efflux of neutral amino acids in kidney and small intestine. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of the human b0,+AT-rBAT complex alone and in complex with arginine substrate at resolution of 2.7 and 2.3 Å, respectively. The overall structure of b0,+AT-rBAT exists as a dimer of heterodimer consistent with the previous study. A ligand molecule is bound to the substrate binding pocket, near which an occluded pocket is identified, to which we found that it is important for substrate transport.

scholarly journals Amino Acid Transporters on the Guard of Cell Genome and Epigenome

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Uğur Kahya ◽  
Ayşe Sedef Köseer ◽  
Anna Dubrovska
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Cancer Metabolism ◽  
Tumor Imaging ◽  
Redox Homeostasis ◽  
Amino Acid Uptake ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Tumor Evolution ◽  
Amino Acid Transporters ◽  
Acid Uptake ◽  
Growth And Survival

Tumorigenesis is driven by metabolic reprogramming. Oncogenic mutations and epigenetic alterations that cause metabolic rewiring may also upregulate the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Precise regulation of the intracellular ROS levels is critical for tumor cell growth and survival. High ROS production leads to the damage of vital macromolecules, such as DNA, proteins, and lipids, causing genomic instability and further tumor evolution. One of the hallmarks of cancer metabolism is deregulated amino acid uptake. In fast-growing tumors, amino acids are not only the source of energy and building intermediates but also critical regulators of redox homeostasis. Amino acid uptake regulates the intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels, endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein response signaling, mTOR-mediated antioxidant defense, and epigenetic adaptations of tumor cells to oxidative stress. This review summarizes the role of amino acid transporters as the defender of tumor antioxidant system and genome integrity and discusses them as promising therapeutic targets and tumor imaging tools.

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