Sodium-dependent lysophosphatidylcholine symporter 1 of the Major Facilitator Superfamily of transporters
Sodium-dependent lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) symporter 1 (NLS1) is also called major facilitator superfamily domain-containing protein 2A (MFSD2A). NLS1/MFSD2A is an LPC symporter that plays an essential role for blood-brain barrier formation and function. It also transports the essential omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is essential for normal brain growth and cognitive function, in the form of LPC into the brain across the blood-brain barrier. Inactivating mutations in MFSD2A cause a lethal microcephaly syndrome. NLS1/MFSD2A belongs to the Salmonella enterica Na+/melibiose symporter like (MelB-like) family of the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) of transporters. MFS proteins are thought to function through a single substrate binding site, alternating-access mechanism involving a rocker-switch type of movement.
Feature 1:putative chemical substrate binding pocket [chemical binding site]
Evidence:
Comment:based on the structures of MFS transporters with bound substrates, substrate analogs, and/or inhibitors
Comment:since MFS proteins facilitate the transport of many different substrates including ions, sugar phosphates, drugs, neurotransmitters, nucleosides, amino acids, and peptides, the residues involved in substrate binding may not be strictly conserved among superfamily members
Comment:the substrate binding site or translocation pore has access to both sides of the membrane in an alternating fashion through a conformational change of the MFS transporter
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",