Molecular mechanisms of urate transport by the native human URAT1 and its inhibition by anti-gout drugs

Abstract Gout, a common and painful disease, stems from hyperuricemia, where elevated blood urate levels lead to urate crystal formation in joints and kidneys. The human urate transporter 1 (hURAT1) plays a critical role in urate homeostasis by facilitating urate reabsorption in the renal proximal tubule, making it a key target for gout therapy. Pharmacological inhibition of hURAT1 with drugs such as dotinurad, benzbromarone, lesinurad, and verinurad promotes urate excretion and alleviates gout symptoms. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of native hURAT1 bound with these anti-gout drugs in the inward-open state, and with urate in inward-open, outward-open, and occluded states. Complemented by mutagenesis and cell-based assays, these structures reveal the mechanisms of urate reabsorption and hURAT1 inhibition. Our findings elucidate the molecular basis of urate transport and anti-gout medication action and provide a structural framework for the rational design of next-generation therapies for hyperuricemia and gout.