Research Progress on the Structural Basis and Transport Mechanism of MFS Superfamily Transporters

The transmembrane transport of substances in organisms is one of the key processes for cell life activities. Through the mediation of various transporters, cells can regulate the transmembrane transport of substances, maintain intracellular and extracellular homeostasis, and ensure the normal function of cells. Among many transporter families, MFS (Major Facilitator Superfamily) superfamily is undoubtedly the largest, most widely distributed and most important protein family. The MFS superfamily is a family of active transporters widely present in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and its members are widely involved in the transport of various small molecules (carbohydrates, amino acids, nucleotides, organic acids, drugs, etc.) Inside and outside the cell. MFS transporters provide the transport driving force by coupling the reverse transport of ions (such as H + or Na +) to realize the transmembrane transport of transported substances. The typical members of MFS superfamily include glucose transporter (GLUT), lactate transporter (MCT), amino acid transporter (APC), nucleotide transporter (NUP) and so on, which play an important role in biomedical research. In this paper, the classification of membrane transporters, the introduction of MFS superfamily proteins, the history of structural biology of MFS superfamily proteins, the structural characteristics of MFS superfamily transporters, and the transport mechanism of MFS superfamily proteins were reviewed. It is expected to provide a reference for further understanding of the functional regulation mechanism of MFS superfamily transporters.