RESEARCH: MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
FOLDING PROJECT #19217 PROFILE

This project looks at how tiny transporter proteins in bacteria move things across their membranes. Scientists are comparing two similar transporters that move nitrate and nitrite, but work differently. By understanding these differences, we can learn more about how all membrane transporters work!

Note: This TLDR is a simplication and may not be 100% accurate.

A United Picture of Transporter Functions
Membrane transporters are an integral part of the cell and serve many roles across their involvement in the transport of ions, nutrients, neurotransmitters, and many drugs across cellular membranes.

There are three major classes of membrane transport proteins that facilitate the transport of various solutes.

These classes are Uniporters, which transport one solute across the membrane in one direction, Symporters, which transport two solutes across the membrane in the same direction, and Antiporters, which transfer two solutes in opposite directions across the membrane.

These classes follow different mechanisms of transport to move their solute(s) across the membrane.
Simulations for this project will be primarily focused on studying how structural differences, sequence level differences, and energetic level differences account for the difference in transport mechanisms across the two bacterial nitrate/nitrite membrane transporters NarU and NarK.

These transporters have high sequence similarity and similar solutes, yet differ in mechanism of transport.

By evaluating the differences in mechanism of transport arising in similar transporters of different classes, we hope to further improve our understanding of the controlling mechanisms behind membrane transport.

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Membrane Transporters

Proteins embedded in cell membranes that facilitate the movement of molecules across.

Membrane transporters are essential proteins found within cell membranes. They act as gateways, allowing specific molecules like nutrients, ions, and drugs to enter or exit the cell. Different types of membrane transporters exist, each with unique mechanisms for moving substances across the membrane.

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Uniporters

Membrane transporters that move a single solute across the membrane in one direction.

Uniporters are a type of membrane transporter that carry one molecule or ion across the cell membrane from one side to the other. They operate in a unidirectional manner, meaning they only transport substances in a single direction.

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Symporters

Membrane transporters that move two or more solutes across the membrane in the same direction.

Symporters are membrane transporters that work by co-transporting multiple molecules across the cell membrane. They use the movement of one molecule down its concentration gradient to drive the transport of another molecule against its gradient.

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Antiporters

Membrane transporters that move two solutes across the membrane in opposite directions.

Antiporters are membrane transporters that facilitate the exchange of one molecule for another across the cell membrane. They work by moving molecules in opposite directions, effectively swapping one solute for another.

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NarU

Nitrate/nitrite transporter protein from bacteria.

NarU is a bacterial membrane transporter protein responsible for transporting nitrate and nitrite across the cell membrane. It plays a crucial role in nitrogen metabolism within bacteria.

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NarK

Nitrate/nitrite transporter protein from bacteria.

NarK is another bacterial membrane transporter protein involved in the transport of nitrate and nitrite across the cell membrane. It shares structural similarities with NarU but exhibits different transport mechanisms.