Role, Functional Mechanism And Structure Of Abc (Atp-Binding Cassette) Transporters

ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters constitute one of the largest families of: proteins. These transporters are involved not only in the import or export of a wide variety of: susbtrates, but also in the regulation of many cellular processes. ABC transporters were first discovered and studied in bacteria, but have now been reported in eukaryotes and humans, with a remarkable conservation in,sequence and structural, organization. They share the same structure in four domains: two hydrophobic domains comprising the substrate recognition site, and two conserved hydrohilic domains ::which bind and hydrolyze ATP, thus energizing transport. Several members of this growing family are involved in various human disorders. Here, we review the most prominent ABC transporters with a special focus on those involved in diseases.