Download MendeleyStructures and mechanism of the human mitochondrial pyruvate carrier.
Liang, J., Shi, J., Song, A., Lu, M., Zhang, K., Xu, M., Huang, G., Lu, P., Wu, X., Ma, D.(2025) Nature 641: 258-265
- PubMed: 40101766
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08873-8
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
8YW6, 8YW8, 8YW9, 9KNW, 9KNX, 9KNY - PubMed Abstract:
Mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) is a mitochondrial inner membrane protein complex essential for uptake of pyruvate into matrix as the primary carbon source for tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle 1,2 . Here, we report six cryo-EM structures of human MPC in three different states: three structures obtained at different conditions in intermembrane space (IMS)-open state with highest resolution of 3.2 Å, a structure of pyruvate-treated MPC in occluded state at 3.7 Å, and two structures in matrix-facing state bound with the inhibitor UK5099 or an inhibitory nanobody on the matrix side at 3.2 Å and 3.0 Å, respectively. MPC is assigned into a heterodimer consisting of MPC1 and MPC2, with the transmembrane domain adopting pseudo-C2-symmetry. Approximate rigid body movements occur between the IMS-open state and the occluded state, while structural changes primarily on the matrix side facilitate the transition between the occluded state and the matrix-facing state, revealing the alternating access mechanism during pyruvate transport. In the UK5099-bound structure, the inhibitor fits well and interacts extensively with a pocket that opens to the matrix side. Our findings provide important insights into the mechanisms underlying MPC-mediated substrate transport, and the recognition and inhibition by UK5099, which will facilitate future drug development targeting MPC.
- Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Organizational Affiliation:
