Work

The SLC25 Mitochondrial Carrier Family: Structure and Mechanism

Year: 2019

Type: review

Abstract: Members of the mitochondrial carrier family (SLC25) provide the transport steps for amino acids, carboxylic acids, fatty acids, cofactors, inorganic ions, and nucleotides across the mitochondrial inner membrane and are crucial for many cellular processes. Here, we use new insights into the transport mechanism of the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier to examine the structure and function of other mitochondrial carriers. They all have a single substrate-binding site and two gates, which are present on either side of the membrane and involve salt-bridge networks. Transport is likely to occur by a common mechanism, in which the coordinated movement of six structural elements leads to the alternating opening and closing of the matrix or cytoplasmic side of the carriers.

Source: Trends in Biochemical Sciences

DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2019.11.001

Authors: Jonathan J. Ruprecht, Edmund R.S. Kunji

Institutions: University of Cambridge, MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Medical Research Council

Language: English

Topic: Mitochondrial Function and Pathology

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,000

Funder: Medical Research Council