Structures of multidrug resistance protein MRP4 reveal basis of substrate specificity

Abstract

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a ubiquitous family of transmembrane proteins which hydrolyze ATP to facilitate the movement of substrates across cell membranes. Despite common architectural features, individual eukaryotic ABC transporters have evolved to transport a broad spectrum of substrates. The multidrug resistance protein MRP4, a member of the MRP sub-family of transporters, has been linked to the efflux of diverse endogenous and exogenous substrates, including prostaglandins, cyclic nucleotides, conjugated steroids, and other chemical scaffolds.