Advances in bacterial peptide transporters

Abstract:

Peptides are transported into cells by peptide transporters, which are grouped into three types of oligopeptide transporters (Opp), dipeptide transporters (Dpp) and di- and tripeptide transporters (Dtp) in bacteria. Opp and Dpp belong to ABC-type superfamily and utilize the energy from ATP hydrolysis to promote peptide translocation. The most well-studied peptide binding subunits in Opp and Dpp are extracellular peptide-binding proteins OppA and DppA respectively, which recognize and bind substrates. Dtp are proton-driven symporters, belonging to major facilitator superfamily (MFS) superfamily. The elucidation of crystal structures combined with biochemical investigations of bacterial peptide transporters offers us a better understanding of their transport mechanism. This review summarizes the advances in the three types of bacterial peptide transporters.