Structure and mechanism of an amino acid antiporter

Science. 2009 Jun 19;324(5934):1565-8. doi: 10.1126/science.1173654. Epub 2009 May 28.

Abstract

Virulent enteric pathogens such as Escherichia coli strain O157:H7 rely on acid-resistance (AR) systems to survive the acidic environment in the stomach. A major component of AR is an arginine-dependent arginine:agmatine antiporter that expels intracellular protons. Here, we report the crystal structure of AdiC, the arginine:agmatine antiporter from E. coli O157:H7 and a member of the amino acid/polyamine/organocation (APC) superfamily of transporters at 3.6 A resolution. The overall fold is similar to that of several Na+-coupled symporters. AdiC contains 12 transmembrane segments, forms a homodimer, and exists in an outward-facing, open conformation in the crystals. A conserved, acidic pocket opens to the periplasm. Structural and biochemical analysis reveals the essential ligand-binding residues, defines the transport route, and suggests a conserved mechanism for the antiporter activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agmatine / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acid Transport Systems / chemistry*
  • Amino Acid Transport Systems / genetics
  • Amino Acid Transport Systems / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Transport Systems / physiology
  • Antiporters / chemistry*
  • Antiporters / genetics
  • Antiporters / metabolism
  • Antiporters / physiology
  • Arginine / metabolism
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Escherichia coli O157 / chemistry*
  • Escherichia coli O157 / genetics
  • Escherichia coli O157 / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / chemistry*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / physiology
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Conformation

Substances

  • AdiC protein, E coli
  • Amino Acid Transport Systems
  • Antiporters
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Agmatine
  • Arginine

Associated data

  • PDB/3H5M
  • PDB/3H6B