Disulfide cross-linking of transport and trimerization domains of a neuronal glutamate transporter restricts the role of the substrate to the gating of the anion conductance

Background: Glutamate transporters gate anion conductance and structures of homologues are available. Results: Disulfide cross-linking of transport and trimerization domains leaves the anion conductance intact. Conclusion: The anion conducting conformation of brain glutamate transporters is associated with a limited inward movement of the transport domain. Significance: The new insights into ion conducting modes may be relevant for other transporters.