How LeuT shapes our understanding of the mechanisms of sodium‐coupled neurotransmitter transporters

A Penmatsa, E Gouaux - The Journal of physiology, 2014 - Wiley Online Library
The Journal of physiology, 2014Wiley Online Library
Neurotransmitter transporters are ion‐coupled symporters that drive the uptake of
neurotransmitters from neural synapses. In the past decade, the structure of a bacterial
amino acid transporter, leucine transporter (LeuT), has given valuable insights into the
understanding of architecture and mechanism of mammalian neurotransmitter transporters.
Different conformations of LeuT, including a substrate‐free state, inward‐open state, and
competitive and non‐competitive inhibitor‐bound states, have revealed a mechanistic …
Abstract
Neurotransmitter transporters are ion‐coupled symporters that drive the uptake of neurotransmitters from neural synapses. In the past decade, the structure of a bacterial amino acid transporter, leucine transporter (LeuT), has given valuable insights into the understanding of architecture and mechanism of mammalian neurotransmitter transporters. Different conformations of LeuT, including a substrate‐free state, inward‐open state, and competitive and non‐competitive inhibitor‐bound states, have revealed a mechanistic framework for the transport and transport inhibition of neurotransmitters. The current review integrates our understanding of the mechanistic and pharmacological properties of eukaryotic neurotransmitter transporters obtained through structural snapshots of LeuT.
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