You are studying nutrient uptake in E. coli and are curious about the gene adiC, which encodes a protein that is involved in nutrient uptake.

    1. What molecule(s) does this protein uptake transport into the cytosol and/or periplasmic space?  Establish what category (Passive Diffusion, Facilitated Diffusion, Active Transport).  Establish what class (Ion Driven – be specific, Group Translocation, ABC Transporter) of transporters it belongs to.  What energy source, if any, drives the uptake process?

 

    1. What is the affinity of this transporter for its transported molecule(s)?

 

    1. Is the transcription of the transporter gene regulated?  If so, what protein(s) regulate it?

 

    1. Is this transporter important for survival in very acidic or very basic environments?  How does the cell counteract acidification or basification? (I.e., what reaction must occur?)

 

  1. When viewing the transport diagram, where is the transporter located?  How many membrane spanning regions does it have (Hint:  Look at the Sequence Features diagram)?