Molecular mechanisms of the major facilitator superfamily transporters

The major facilitator superfamily(MFS) constitutes one of the largest secondary active membrane transporter families found on the earth.The diversity of its substrates endows the MFS superfamily with significant role in the interchange of solutes and energy metabolism.Since the first high resolution structure of LacY determined in 2003,crystal structure of five members of the MFS superfamily have been obtained.Combined with the biochemical and biophysical investigations,we now have a better understanding of their transport mechanisms.The review summarized the advancement in the structural and mechanical understanding of the MFS superfamily transporters.