Synonyms
ATP-binding cassette proteins; ABC‐proteins
Definition
The ABC‐transporter superfamily represents a large group of transmembrane proteins. Members of this family are mainly involved in ATP‐dependent transport processes across cellular membranes. These proteins are of special interest from a pharmacological point of view because of their ability to transport numerous drugs, thereby modifying intracellular concentrations and hence effects.
Basic Characteristics
ATP‐binding cassette (ABC‐) proteins have been identified in all living organisms; they are present in plants, bacteria, and mammalians. In humans the ABC‐superfamily comprises about 50 members; on the basis of homology relationships this superfamily is organized in several subfamilies named ABCA to ABCF. Not all of them are pharmacologically important, for example, members of the A branch are mainly involved in lipid trafficking. ABCB2 as well as ABCB3, which are also termed as transporter associated with antigen...
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References
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© 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York
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Grube, M., Kroemer, H.K. (2008). ABC Transporters. In: Offermanns, S., Rosenthal, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Molecular Pharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-38918-7_174
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-38918-7_174
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-38916-3
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