Objectif The alternating access model of how membrane-embedded transport proteins translocate substrates across biological membranes has been proposed since the 1960s: membrane transporters bind substrates on one side of the membrane and release them on the other side upon conformational rearrangements in the protein. This has been experimentally confirmed by high-resolution structures of membrane transporters in different conformations and is exemplified by the conformational change in the archaeal glutamate transporter homologue GltPh from Pyrococcus horikoshii. GltPh is a trimer in which each protomer functions independently of the others. Outward and inward facing conformations suggest transport by alternating access to either side of the membrane whereby a distinct transport domain undergoes large rotational and translational movements relative to the static trimerisation domain. It is unknown how GltPh achieves this conformational rearrangement, which occurs both in the absence and presence of substrates. We propose to integrate cutting-edge techniques in membrane structural biology to identify dynamic hotspots that drive the large conformational transitions in GltPh. We will combine insights from protein crystallography with local variations of thermodynamic stability and protein dynamics measured by hydrogen/deuterium exchange to map the structural components that allow conformational change to occur. In doing so, we will obtain new insights into how GltPh functions, shedding light on the mechanism of biomedically important glutamate transporters. We will use this model system to develop strategies that allow understanding of the molecular basis of substrate transport. The methods developed would be widely applicable to other membrane transport proteins. Champ scientifique natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologymineralogycrystallographynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biologystructural biology Mots‑clés glutamate transporter structure conformational dynamics crystallography thermodynamics hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Thème(s) MSCA-IF-2014-GF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-GF) Appel à propositions H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinateur CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS Contribution nette de l'UE € 246 668,40 Adresse RUE MICHEL ANGE 3 75794 Paris France Voir sur la carte Région Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Type d’activité Research Organisations Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 246 668,40 Partenaires (1) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution nette de l'UE Tout développer Tout réduire Partenaire Les organisations partenaires contribuent à la mise en œuvre de l’action, mais ne signent pas la convention de subvention. CORNELL UNIVERSITY États-Unis Contribution nette de l'UE € 0,00 Adresse PINE TREE ROAD 373 14850 Ithaca Ny Voir sur la carte Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 160 130,40