Energy coupling factor (ECF) transporters consist of an integral membrane protein that confers substrate specificity (S-component) and an energizing module related to ATP-cassette (ABC) transporters. Structural studies of the thiamin-specific S-component ThiT from Lactococcus lactis reveal an interaction with the energizing module through a conserved motif on the membrane-embedded surface of ThiT, thereby providing insight into the substrate translocation mechanism.
- Guus B Erkens
- Ronnie P-A Berntsson
- Dirk Jan Slotboom
