ABC Transporters in the CNS – An Inventory

Title: ABC Transporters in the CNS – An Inventory

Volume: 12 Issue: 4

Author(s): A. M.S. Hartz and B. Bauer

Affiliation:

Keywords: ABCB1, ABCC, ABCG2, blood-brain barrier, breast cancer resistance protein, CNS, multidrug resistanceassociated protein, P-glycoprotein, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, transporter expression, seizures/epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, neurovascular unit, ABC efflux

Abstract: In the present review we provide a summary of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the central nervous system (CNS). Our review is focused on transporters of the ABC A, B, C, D, and G families that have been detected in the cells of the neurovascular unit/blood-brain barrier including brain capillary endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, and neurons, as well as in other brain cells, such as microglia, oligodendrocytes, and choroid plexus epithelial cells. In this review, we provide an overview, organized by ABC family, of transporter expression, localization, and function. We summarize recent findings on ABC transporter regulation in the CNS and address the role of ABC transporters in CNS diseases including brain cancer, seizures/epilepsy, and Alzheimers disease. Finally, we discuss new therapeutic strategies focused on ABC transporters in CNS disease.

Cite this article as:

M.S. Hartz A. and Bauer B., ABC Transporters in the CNS – An Inventory, Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2011; 12 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920111795164020