RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Crystal structure of arginine-bound lysosomal transporter SLC38A9 in the cytosol-open state
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 288233
DO 10.1101/288233
A1 Lei, Hsiang-Ting
A1 Ma, Jinming
A1 Martinez, Silvia Sanchez
A1 Gonen, Tamir
YR 2018
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2018/03/24/288233.abstract
AB Amino acid-dependent activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is essential to reflect nutrient availabilities in cells for cell growth and metabolism1. Solute carrier 38 family A member 9 (SLC38A9) is the lysosomal transporter responsible for amino acid sensing in the mTORC1 signaling pathway2–4. Here we present the first crystal structure of SLC38A9 from Danio rerio in complex with arginine. As captured in the cytosol-open state, the bound arginine was locked in a transitional state stabilized by the transmembrane helix 1 (TM1) of SLC38A9 which was anchored at the grove between transmembrane helix 5 and 7 inside the transporter. The key motif WNTMM on TM1, contributing to the anchoring interactions, is highly conserved in various species. Mutations in WNTMM motif abolished arginine transport by SLC38A9. The underlying mechanism of substrate binding is critical for both sensitizing mTORC1 signaling pathway to amino acids and for maintaining amino acid homeostasis across lysosomal membranes2.