title: MdfA from Escherichia coli, a model protein for studying secondary multidrug transport.
abstract: MdfA is a prototypic secondary multidrug transporter from Escherichia coli, which recognizes and exports a broad spectrum of structurally and electrically dissimilar toxic compounds. Here we review recent studies of MdfA, which, on the one hand, provide advanced understanding of certain aspects of secondary multidrug transport, and, on the other, address major mechanistic questions, some of which remain to be elucidated. Using biochemical, genetic, and physiological approaches, we have revealed several surprisingly promiscuous properties of MdfA including its multidrug recognition capacity, proton recognition determinants, aspects of energy utilization, and physiological role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
authors.forename: Nadejda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sigal
authors.forename: Devora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cohen-Karni
authors.forename: Shira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siemion
authors.forename: Eitan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bibi
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D005075:Biological Evolution; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000378:metabolism; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary
chemical_list: D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C118438:Mdfa protein, E coli; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations