ABC transporter
ABC transporter
ABC transporter (pronounced as A-B-C transporter), also known as ATP-binding cassette transporter, is a type of transmembrane protein that utilizes the energy from ATP hydrolysis to transport various molecules across intra and extra cellular membranes.
Etymology
The term "ABC transporter" is derived from the first letters of "ATP-binding cassette transporter". ATP stands for Adenosine triphosphate, a high-energy molecule that provides energy for many biochemical cellular processes, including the active transport of various nutrients and ions across the cell membrane.
Function
ABC transporters are essential for cell function. They transport a wide variety of substrates across extra and intracellular membranes, including metabolic products, lipids and sterols, and drugs. They are involved in a wide variety of processes, including lipid transport, drug resistance, and antigen presentation.
Classification
ABC transporters are classified into seven distinct subfamilies (ABC1, MDR/TAP, MRP, ALD, OABP, GCN20, White). This classification is based on the sequence homology and organization of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) domains.
Related Terms
- ATPase: An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ATP into ADP and inorganic phosphate.
- Cell membrane: A biological membrane that separates the interior of all cells from the outside environment.
- Hydrolysis: The chemical process in which a molecule is cleaved into two parts by the addition of a water molecule.
- Lipid: Any of a class of organic compounds that are fatty acids or their derivatives and are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on ABC transporter
- Wikipedia's article - ABC transporter
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