Studies of transport properties of EmrE protein—simulation by molecular dynamics

Abstract

EmrE is a small multidrug resistance transporter found in Escherichia coli that confers resistance to toxic polyaromatic cations by proton coupling of these substrates. One of the mechanisms by which cells neutralize the action of toxic compounds is the action of membrane transporters. Secondary transporters, such as the EmrE protein, combine the outflow of drugs with the internal movement of protons across the cell membrane. EmrE is a prototype member of the small multidrug resistance (SMR) transporter family and is one of the smallest known transporters in nature, consisting of only 110 amino acid residues.