Mapping ATP's journey: Key protein identified as gateway for energy delivery into endoplasmic reticulum
Originally published by Stockholm University  on May 21, 2025   edited by Sadie Harley , reviewed by Robert Egan   Scientists reveal how ATP is transported into the ER by the protein SLC35B1. Credit: Surabhi Kokane using Biorender.   A team of scientists has answered a long-standing question in cell biology , uncovering h ow the cell's main energy currency, ATP , is transported into the endoplasmic reticulum ( ER ) . Disrupted  energy transport  could affect diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders .   The study, " Step-wise ATP translocation into the ER by human SLC35B1 " published  in Nature , confirms that the transporter protein SLC35B1  is the key gateway for ATP  entry into the ER .   The research , led by David Drew, professor of biochemistry at Stockholm University  and located at SciLifeLab , reveals the first structural and mechanistic insight  into how ATP  enters the endoplasmic reticulum  (ER) using the transporter protein  SL...