# Conformational change in NSS transporters

> **NIH NIH R01** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $442,316

## Abstract

Abstract
Our goal is to understand the mechanism by which a large family of transport proteins moves
small molecules and ions across biological membranes. In recent years it has become apparent
that many families of transport proteins are related at the structural level. The transporter
proteins are responsible for moving a wide variety of substrate molecules across cell
membranes. They mediate neurotransmitter re-uptake in the brain, sugar and amino acid
transport in kidney and intestine, iodide transport in thyroid, and many other important
transport processes that are critically important in health and disease. These transporter
families are all based on a protein fold containing two structurally similar repeats in opposite
orientations relative to the membrane. Recent structural evidence indicates that transport
requires a conformational change in which a 4-helix bundle rearranges within the protein
structure. However, the ability of these transporters to accumulate substrates within the cell
using the coupled movement of ions is a separate issue not addressed by previous studies. The
specific aims of this project are to use biochemical, biophysical and computational approaches
to test proposed mechanisms, and to understand how binding of substrate and ions can trigger
conformational changes relating to the movement of the bundle and the consequent opening
and closing of permeation pathways.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9916822
- **Project number:** 5R01NS102277-04
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** GARY W RUDNICK
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $442,316
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-06-15 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9916822

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9916822, Conformational change in NSS transporters (5R01NS102277-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9916822. Licensed CC0.

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