Download MendeleyStructural insights into bacterial dimethylsulfoniopropionate import by BCCT-family transporters.
Zhang, Y.Z., Zhu, W.J., Li, K., Ding, H.T., Hattori, M., Liu, S., Ge, C., Qin, Q.L., Teng, Z.J., Liu, N.H., Cao, H.Y., Li, C.Y., Chen, X.L., Shen, Q.T., Todd, J.D., Liu, L.N., Wang, P.(2026) EMBO J
- PubMed: 42104083 Search on PubMedSearch on PubMed Central
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44318-026-00798-w
- Primary Citation Related Structures:
21FF, 21FH, 21FI, 21FJ, 21FK - PubMed Abstract:
Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is a ubiquitous marine organosulfur compound central to microbial stress responses, chemotaxis, and nutrient cycling. Its catabolism produces dimethylsulfide (DMS), a climate-active gas, and plays a key role in the global sulfur cycle. However, the molecular basis of DMSP import, underpinning its microbial metabolism, remains poorly understood. Here, we identify and characterize the BCCT-family transporter DddT from Psychrobacter sp. D2, a marine gamma-proteobacterium that utilizes DMSP as a carbon source. DddT is essential for DMSP uptake and functions as a Na + -coupled symporter driven by the transmembrane sodium gradient. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we determined DddT structures in multiple conformational states, revealing its Na + -dependent transport mechanism involving two sodium ions, one coordinated by a previously uncharacterized binding site. Sequence analysis shows that DddT-like proteins with conserved sodium-binding features are widespread in marine bacteria, suggesting this Na + -coupled transport mechanism represents a broadly conserved feature of the BCCT family. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into sodium-driven substrate uptake and marine sulfur cycling.
- MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing and Safety Control, College of Marine Life Sciences & Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China. zhangyz@sdu.edu.cn.
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