The mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier (AAC) exports ATP and imports ADP through alternating between cytosol-open (c-) and matrix-open (m-) states. The salt bridge networks near the matrix side (m-gate) and cytosol side (c-gate) are thought to be crucial for state transitions, yet our knowledge on these networks is still limited. In the current work, we focus on more conserved m-gate network in the c-state AAC. All-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on a variety of mutants and the CATR-AAC complex have revealed that: (1) without involvement of other positive residues, the charged residues from the three Px[DE]xx[KR] motifs only are prone to form symmetrical inter-helical network; (2) R235 plays a determinant role for the asymmetry in m-gate network of AAC; (3) R235 significantly strengthens the interactions between H3 and H5; (4) R79 exhibits more significant impact on m-gate than R279; (5) CATR promotes symmetry in m-gate mainly through separating R234 from D231 and fixing R79; (6) vulnerability of the H2-H3 interface near matrix side could be functionally important. Our results provide new insights into the highly conserved yet variable m-gate network in the big mitochondrial carrier family.
Keywords: ADP/ATP carrier; mitochondrial carrier family; molecular dynamics simulation; transporter.