Cited by 12Amino Acid Enzymes and MetabolismProtein Structure and DynamicsAdvanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and Applications

Cryo-EM structure of the human Asc-1 transporter complex

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Li, Yaning, Guo, Yingying, Bröer, Angelika, Dai, Lu, Brӧer, Stefan, Yan, Renhong·2024·Nature Communications

Abstract

The Alanine-Serine-Cysteine transporter 1 (Asc-1 or SLC7A10) forms a crucial heterodimeric transporter complex with 4F2hc (SLC3A2) through a covalent disulfide bridge. This complex enables the sodium-independent transport of small neutral amino acids, including L-Alanine (L-Ala), Glycine (Gly), and D-Serine (D-Ser), within the central nervous system (CNS). D-Ser and Gly are two key endogenous glutamate co-agonists that activate N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors by binding to the allosteric site. Mice deficient in Asc-1 display severe symptoms such as tremors, ataxia, and seizures, leading to early postnatal death. Despite its physiological importance, the functional mechanism of the Asc-1-4F2hc complex has remained elusive. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the human Asc-1-4F2hc complex in its apo state, D-Ser bound state, and L-Ala bound state, resolved at 3.6 Å, 3.5 Å, and 3.4 Å, respectively. Through detailed structural analysis and transport assays, we uncover a comprehensive alternating access mechanism that underlies conformational changes in the complex. In summary, our findings reveal the architecture of the Asc-1 and 4F2hc complex and provide valuable insights into substrate recognition and the functional cycle of this essential transporter complex.

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Authors
Li, Y., Guo, Y., Bröer, A., Dai, L., Brӧer, S., & Yan, R.
Affiliations
  • Southern University of Science and Technology (CN)
  • Australian National University (AU)
Corresponding author
Yan, Renhong
Venue
Nature Communications
Published
2024-04-08
Volume
15
Issue
1
Pages
3036-3036
ISSN
2041-1723 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4394580950
Cited by
12
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2
FWCI
1.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Communications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Westlake University
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (82202517)
  • Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province
  • Southern University of Science and Technology
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Amino Acid Enzymes and Metabolism
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Structure and Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Structural Biology › Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and Applications
Keywords
4F2hc, SLC3A2, amino acid transporters, disulfide-linked heterodimer, D-serine, L-alanine, glycine, NMDA receptor co-agonist, alternating access mechanism, substrate recognition, transporter conformational change, cryo-EM structure
MeSH terms
Animals, Cysteine, Glycine, Humans, Serine, Cryoelectron Microscopy, Membrane Transport Proteins, Mice

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