Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

A Step-by-step Method for the Reconstitution of an ABC Transporter into Nanodisc Lipid Particles
12:25

A Step-by-step Method for the Reconstitution of an ABC Transporter into Nanodisc Lipid Particles

Published on: August 31, 2012

Structure and function of ABC transporters

Kenneth J Linton1

  • 1MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom. kenneth.linton@csc.mrc.ac.uk

Physiology (Bethesda, Md.)
|April 11, 2007
PubMed

Insights

ATP binding cassette transporters are vital integral membrane proteins. Recent studies reveal their function through an ATP-switch model, crucial for cell physiology and disease.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Physiology

Background:

  • ATP binding cassette transporters are ubiquitous integral membrane proteins.
  • These transporters are critical for cell physiology, with clinical and economic importance.
  • Dysfunction is linked to genetic diseases and drug resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the functional mechanism of ATP binding cassette transporters.
  • To integrate structural and biochemical data for a comprehensive understanding.
  • To explain ligand translocation across biological membranes.

Main Methods:

  • Recent structure analyses of ATP binding cassette transporters.
  • Interpretation of structural data in the context of extensive biochemical studies.
  • Development of a functional model based on integrated data.

Main Results:

  • The ATP-switch model for transporter function has been proposed.
  • The model involves paired nucleotide binding domains switching conformations.
  • Conformational changes are dependent on ATP binding and hydrolysis.

Conclusions:

  • The ATP-switch model explains how ATP binding cassette transporters translocate ligands.
  • This model highlights the dynamic nature of these integral membrane proteins.
  • Understanding this mechanism is key to addressing related diseases and drug resistance.

More Related Videos

Real Time Measurements of Membrane Protein:Receptor Interactions Using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)09:35

Real Time Measurements of Membrane Protein:Receptor Interactions Using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)

Published on: November 29, 2014

ABCG5/G8 Crystallization in a Lipidic Bicelle Environment for X-Ray Crystallography06:47

ABCG5/G8 Crystallization in a Lipidic Bicelle Environment for X-Ray Crystallography

Published on: August 25, 2023

Related Concept Videos

ABC Transporters: Exporter01:31

ABC Transporters: Exporter

ATP-binding cassette or ABC transporter is the largest superfamily of integral membrane proteins. The transporters have transmembrane-binding domains (TMDs) and nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs). The TMDs are specific to their substrates, whereas the NBDs are similar to engines that complete ATP hydrolysis to complete the substrate transport. They can be full transporters consisting of two TMDs and NBDs, half transporters with one TMD and NBD, while some encoded with a single TMD or NBD are...
ABC Transporters: Importer01:27

ABC Transporters: Importer

ATP-binding cassette or ABC transporters are a class of ATP-driven pumps that hydrolyze ATP to move solutes across the membrane. They can be grouped into importers and exporters. While exporters are present in all domains of life, importers exist only in bacteria and some plants.
In bacteria, based on the number of transmembrane helices and the chemical nature of their substrates, the ABC importers can be divided into three types:
ATP Driven Pumps I: An Overview01:27

ATP Driven Pumps I: An Overview

ATP-driven pumps, also known as transport ATPases, are integral membrane proteins. They have binding sites for ATP located on the membrane's cytosolic side and the ion-conducting domain in the transmembrane region. These pumps use the free energy released from ATP hydrolysis to move the solutes across cell membranes against an electrochemical gradient.
There are four main types of ATP-driven pumps - P-type, V-type, F-type, and ABC transporter. All these pumps are of varying complexities and are...
Membrane Transporters01:31

Membrane Transporters

Transporters are essential membrane transport proteins with functions related to cell nutrition, homeostasis, communication, etc. Approximately 7% of all genes in the human genome code for transporters or transporter-related proteins.
Transporters are mainly composed of alpha-helices, built from bundles of ten or more helices traversing the plasma membrane. The solute-binding sites are located midway, where some of the helices are broken or distorted, making space for the binding site through...
Active Transport01:14

Active Transport

Active transport is a critical biological process that allows cells to move solutes against an electrochemical gradient. This process requires direct energy input and is characterized by its selectivity, saturability, and susceptibility to competitive inhibition.
Primary active transporters, like Na+, K+ and -ATPase, directly utilize ATP to move ions across the membrane. These transporters play significant roles in various physiological processes. For instance, Na+, K+ and -ATPase maintain...
Drug Absorption Mechanism: Carrier-Mediated Membrane Transport01:19

Drug Absorption Mechanism: Carrier-Mediated Membrane Transport

Certain large, lipid-insoluble drug molecules that resemble amino acids, peptides, or glucose, require specialized carrier proteins to facilitate their diffusion across cell membranes. This transport can occur through either facilitated diffusion, which does not require energy input, or active transport, which does require energy input.
Facilitated diffusion is a passive process that utilizes human Solute Carrier (SLC) transporters. These transporters bind to the drug, undergo structural...