Uniporter

Uniporter is a type of protein that facilitates the transport of a single type of molecule across a cell membrane. This process is driven by the concentration gradient of the molecule being transported, and does not require the input of energy.

Function

Uniporters function by binding to a molecule on one side of the cell membrane, undergoing a conformational change, and releasing the molecule on the other side of the membrane. This process is driven by the concentration gradient of the molecule being transported, with the molecule moving from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. This type of transport is known as facilitated diffusion.

Types of Uniporters

There are several types of uniporters, each of which transports a specific type of molecule. These include:

• Glucose transporters, which transport glucose across the cell membrane.
• Amino acid transporters, which transport amino acids across the cell membrane.
• Nucleoside transporters, which transport nucleosides across the cell membrane.

Role in Disease

Mutations in the genes encoding uniporters can lead to a variety of diseases. For example, mutations in the gene encoding the glucose transporter GLUT1 can lead to GLUT1 deficiency syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by impaired glucose transport into the brain.

See Also

• Transport protein
• Active transport
• Passive transport
• Symporter
• Antiporter

References

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