Open AccessHigh-speed atomic force microscopy reveals a three-state elevator mechanism in the citrate transporter CitS
Author(s) -
Sourav Maity,
Gianluca Trinco,
Pedro Buzón,
Zaid R. Anshari,
Noriyuki Kodera,
Kien Xuan Ngo,
Toshio Ando,
Dirk Jan Slotboom,
Wouter H. Roos
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2113927119
Subject(s) - transporter , biophysics , membrane , atomic force microscopy , chemistry , molecule , cell membrane , elevator , nanotechnology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , materials science , biochemistry , gene , organic chemistry , composite material
Significance As cellular membranes are impermeable to most molecules, transporter proteins are typically present in the membrane to transport small molecules in or out of the cell. Due to the small, nanometer size of these transporters, it is challenging to study their transport mechanism. Here, we use advanced microscopy approaches to study in real time and at the single-molecule level the mode of action of the dimeric CitS tranpsorter. Using high-speed atomic force microscopy, we visualize the dynamic, elevator-like movement of the transporter, and we reveal that the two protomers move independently. We also discovered an intermediate state, reminiscent of another, unrelated transporter, indicating that independent evolutionary pathways have led to similar three-state elevator mechanisms.