Dynamics of the L-fucose/H+ symporter revealed by fluorescence spectroscopy

Junichi Sugihara, Linfeng Sun, Nieng Yan, H. Ronald Kaback

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

FucP of Escherichia coli catalyzes L-fucose/H+ symport, and a crystal structure in an outward-facing conformation has been reported. However, nothing is known about FucP conformational dynamics. Here, we show that addition of L-fucose to purified FucP in detergent induces ∼20% quenching of Trp fluorescence in a concentration-dependent manner without a shift in λmax. Quenching is essentially abolished when both Trp38 and Trp278, which are positioned on opposing faces of the outward-facing cavity walls, are replaced with Tyr or Phe, and reduced quenching is observed when either Trp is mutated. Therefore, both Trp residues are involved in the phenomenon. Furthermore, replacement of either Trp38 or Trp278, predominantly Trp38, causes decreased quenching, decreased apparent affinity for L-fucose, and significant inhibition of active L-fucose transport, indicating that the two residues are likely involved directly in sugar binding. It is proposed that sugar binding induces a conformational change in which the outward-facing cavity in FucP closes, thereby bringing Trp38 and Trp278 into close proximity around the bound sugar to form an "occluded" intermediate. The location of these two Trp residues provides a unique method for analyzing structural dynamics in FucP.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)14847-14851
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume109
Issue number37
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 11 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

Keywords

  • Membrane proteins
  • Membranes
  • Protein dynamics
  • Tryptophan

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dynamics of the L-fucose/H+ symporter revealed by fluorescence spectroscopy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this