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Udgivelsesdato: 2009-Jun-12, The GABA transporter-1 (GAT-1) has three current-generating modes: GABA-coupled current, Li(+)-induced leak current, and Na(+)-dependent transient currents. We earlier hypothesized that Li(+) is able to substitute for the first Na(+) in the transport cycle and thereby induce a distinct conformation in GAT-1 and that the onset of the Li(+)-induced leak current at membrane potentials more negative than -50 mV was due to a voltage-dependent conformational change of the Li(+)-bound transporter. In this study, we set out to verify this hypothesis and seek insight into the structural dynamics underlying the leak current, as well as the sodium-dependent transient currents, by applying voltage clamp fluorometry to tetramethylrhodamine 6-maleimide-labeled GAT-1 expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. MTSET accessibility studies demonstrated the presence of two distinct conformations of GAT-1 in the presence of Na(+) or Li(+). The voltage-dependent fluorescence intensity changes obtained in Li(+) buffer correlated with the Li(+)-induced leak currents, i.e. both were highly voltage-dependent and only present at hyperpolarized potentials (<-50 mV). The transient currents correlated directly with the voltage-dependent fluorescence data obtained in sodium buffer and the associated conformational changes were distinct from those associated with the Li(+)-induced leak current. The inhibitor potency of SKF89976A of the Li(+)- versus Na(+)-bound transporter confirmed the cationic dependence of the conformational occupancy. Our observations suggest that the microdomain situated at the external end of transmembrane I is involved in different conformational changes taking place either during the binding and release of sodium or during the initiation of the Li(+)-induced leak current.

The sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter SGLT1 undergoes a series of voltage- and ligand-induced conformational changes that underlie the cotransport mechanism. In this study we describe how the binding of external Na changes the conformation of the sugar-binding domain, exposing residues that are involved in sugar recognition to the external environment. We constructed 15 individual Cys mutants in the four transmembrane helices (TMHs) that form the sugar binding and translocation domain. Each mutant was functionally characterized for transport kinetics and substrate specificity. Identification of interactions between mutated residues and hydroxyls on the pyranose ring was assessed by comparing the affinities of deoxy sugars to those of glucose. We determined conformation-dependent accessibility to the mutated residues by both a traditional substituted cysteine accessibility method (SCAM) and a new fluorescence binding assay. These data were integrated to orient the helices and construct a framework of residues that comprise the external sugar binding site. We present evidence that R499, Q457, and T460 play a direct role in sugar recognition and that five other residues are indirectly involved in transport. Arranging the four TMHs to account for Na-dependent accessibility and potential for sugar interaction allows us to propose a testable model for the SGLT1 sugar binding site. Udgivelsesdato: 2007-Nov-20

Udgivelsesdato: 2002-Jan-29, Conformational changes in the human Na(+)/glucose cotransporter (hSGLT1) were examined using hSGLT1 Q457C expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and tagged with tetramethylrhodamine-6-maleimide (TMR6M). Na(+)/glucose cotransport is abolished in the TMR6M-labeled mutant, but the protein binds Na(+) and sugar [Loo et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95, 7789-7794]. Under voltage clamp the fluorescence of labeled Q457C was dependent on external cations. Increasing [Na(+)] increased fluorescence with a Hill coefficient of 2 and half-maximal concentration (K(Na)(0.5)) of 49 mM at -90 mV. Li(+) also increased fluorescence, whereas choline, tetraethylammonium, and N-methyl-D-glucamine did not. Fluorescence was increased by sugars with specificity: methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside > D-glucose > D-galactose >> D-mannitol. Voltage-jump experiments (in 100 mM NaCl buffer in absence of sugar) elicited parallel changes in pre-steady-state charge movement and fluorescence. Charge vs voltage and fluorescence vs voltage curves followed Boltzmann relations with the same median voltage (V(0.5) = -50 mV), but the apparent valence was 1 for charge movement and 0.4 for fluorescence. V(0.5) for fluorescence and charge movement was shifted by -100 mV per 10-fold decrease in [Na(+)]. Under Na(+)-free conditions, there was a voltage-dependent change in fluorescence. Voltage-jump experiments showed that the maximal change in fluorescence increased 20% with sugar. These results indicate that Na(+), sugar, and membrane voltage change the local environment of the fluorophore at Q457C. Our interpretation of these results is (1) the conformational change of the empty transporter is voltage dependent, (2) two Na(+) ions can bind cooperatively to the protein before sugar, and (3) sugar binding induces a conformational change.