Structure and function relationships of nickel/cobalt permeases and related transporters in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

NiCoT transition-metal permeases are widespread among bacteria, and have recently been identified in archaea and fungi. They transport metal ions with extremely high affinity and provide their substrate(s) for incorporation into various types of metalloenzymes including important pathogenicity determinants. Our project aims at a detailed insight into the three-dimensional structure of selected NiCoTs to elucidate the molecular basis responsible for the remarkable high affinity of these permeases and to identify the structural features controlling selectivity. Members of a subgroup of the NiCoT family that differ in several respects from the NiCoT prototype are found in certain prokaryotes and many plants. It is our objective to clarify the role of these putative transporters in nickel metabolism.