Download MendeleyStructural basis of nucleoside and nucleoside drug selectivity by concentrative nucleoside transporters.
Johnson, Z.L., Lee, J.H., Lee, K., Lee, M., Kwon, D.Y., Hong, J., Lee, S.Y.(2014) Elife 3: e03604-e03604
- PubMed: 25082345 Search on PubMedSearch on PubMed Central
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03604
- Primary Citation Related Structures:
4PB1, 4PB2, 4PD5, 4PD6, 4PD7, 4PD8, 4PD9, 4PDA - PubMed Abstract:
Concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNTs) are responsible for cellular entry of nucleosides, which serve as precursors to nucleic acids and act as signaling molecules. CNTs also play a crucial role in the uptake of nucleoside-derived drugs, including anticancer and antiviral agents. Understanding how CNTs recognize and import their substrates could not only lead to a better understanding of nucleoside-related biological processes but also the design of nucleoside-derived drugs that can better reach their targets. Here, we present a combination of X-ray crystallographic and equilibrium-binding studies probing the molecular origins of nucleoside and nucleoside drug selectivity of a CNT from Vibrio cholerae. We then used this information in chemically modifying an anticancer drug so that it is better transported by and selective for a single human CNT subtype. This work provides proof of principle for utilizing transporter structural and functional information for the design of compounds that enter cells more efficiently and selectively.
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, United States.
Organizational Affiliation:
