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ABC Transporters

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Encyclopedia of Molecular Pharmacology

Synonyms

ABC proteins; ATP binding cassette proteins

Definition

The ABC transporters represent one of the largest families of transmembrane proteins in most organisms including plants, bacteria, and eukaryotic cells. They perform numerous key physiological processes directly coupled with the hydrolysis of ATP. From the pharmacological point of view, ABC transporters are of special interest because of their relevance in transmembrane transport of various drugs, thereby modifying intracellular concentrations and hence effects of these compounds. Furthermore, they represent potential target structures to interfere with (patho-)physiological processes in which they are involved.

Basic Characteristics

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins are present in plants, bacteria, and eukaryotic organisms including mammalians. In humans the ABC gene superfamily comprises about 50 members, which are organized in 7 subfamilies called ABCA to ABCG on the basis of their domain organization and phylogenetic...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Center of Drug Absorption and Transport, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany

    Markus Grube & Gabriele Jedlitschky

Authors
  1. Markus Grube
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  2. Gabriele Jedlitschky
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Markus Grube .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut Herz/Lungenforschg., Bad Nauheim, Hessen, Germany

    Stefan Offermanns

  2. Presidential Office, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Jena, Thüringen, Germany

    Walter Rosenthal

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Grube, M., Jedlitschky, G. (2020). ABC Transporters. In: Offermanns, S., Rosenthal, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Molecular Pharmacology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21573-6_174-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21573-6_174-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-21573-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-21573-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences

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