Structure and function of facilitative sugar transporters

Sugar transporters form one group of the major facilitator superfamily of m embrane transporters. A conserved common central pore structure lies at the heart of these transporters and diverse functionality is brought about by alterations to this pore or regions associated with it. Recent mutagenesis studies of sugar transporters within the framework of tenable models for th e distantly related lactose permease argue that this model is a good paradi gm for other members of the major facilitator superfamily.