ABC transporters: human disease and pharmacotherapeutic potential

Jonathan M Moore; Eric L Bell; Robert O Hughes; Alastair S Garfield

doi:10.1016/j.molmed.2022.11.001

ABC transporters: human disease and pharmacotherapeutic potential

Trends Mol Med. 2023 Feb;29(2):152-172. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.11.001. Epub 2022 Dec 8.

Authors

Jonathan M Moore¹, Eric L Bell², Robert O Hughes², Alastair S Garfield³

Affiliations

¹ Rectify Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA. Electronic address: moore@rectifypharma.com.
² Rectify Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA.
³ Rectify Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA. Electronic address: agarfield@rectifypharma.com.

PMID: 36503994
DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.11.001

Abstract

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a 48-member superfamily of membrane proteins that actively transport a variety of biological substrates across lipid membranes. Their functional diversity defines an expansive involvement in myriad aspects of human biology. At least 21 ABC transporters underlie rare monogenic disorders, with even more implicated in the predisposition to and symptomology of common and complex diseases. Such broad (patho)physiological relevance places this class of proteins at the intersection of disease causation and therapeutic potential, underlining them as promising targets for drug discovery, as exemplified by the transformative CFTR (ABCC7) modulator therapies for cystic fibrosis. This review will explore the growing relevance of ABC transporters to human disease and their potential as small-molecule drug targets.

Keywords: ABC transporter; ABCA7; ATP-binding cassette; CFTR/ABCC7; genetic disease; pharmacotherapies.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters* / genetics
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters* / metabolism
Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
Cystic Fibrosis* / drug therapy
Cystic Fibrosis* / genetics
Cystic Fibrosis* / metabolism
Humans

Substances

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
Adenosine Triphosphate