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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
11:02
Methods to Discover Alternative Promoter Usage and Transcriptional Regulation of Murine Bcrp1
Published on: May 27, 2016
Expression and functional characterization of ABCG1 splice variant ABCG1(666)
Thomas Engel1, Guenther Bode, Aloys Lueken
1Leibniz Institute of Arteriosclerosis Research, Westphalian Wilhelms-University, Domagkstr. 3, 48149 Muenster, Germany. engeltho@uni-muenster.de
FEBS Letters
|July 28, 2006
Summary
The prominent human splice variant ABCG1(666) functions similarly to full-length ABCG1, mediating cholesterol export from cells. This variant is highly expressed and located on the cell surface, suggesting it
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCG1 facilitates cholesterol efflux from macrophages to high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
- Mammalian cells express various ABCG1 splice variants with potentially distinct functions.
- The full-length human ABCG1 is denoted as ABCG1(678).
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the human splice variant ABCG1(666), which lacks 12 amino acids compared to ABCG1(678).
- To investigate the functional properties, including glycosylation, localization, and cholesterol transport activity, of ABCG1(666).
Main Methods:
- Transient and stable expression of ABCG1(666) fusion proteins in relevant cell types.
- Analysis of glycosylation patterns, subcellular localization, and homodimerization capabilities.
- Assessment of cholesterol export function through cellular assays.
Main Results:
- ABCG1(666) transcripts are more abundant in human macrophages and liver than full-length ABCG1 transcripts.
- ABCG1(666) localizes to the cell surface and forms homodimers capable of mediating cholesterol transport.
- The functional activity of ABCG1(666) in cholesterol export is comparable to previously characterized ABCG1 forms.
Conclusions:
- ABCG1(666) is a prominent functional variant of ABCG1 in humans.
- Its cell surface localization and cholesterol transport activity support its significant role in cellular cholesterol homeostasis.
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