Transport of drugs and signal molecules across cell membranes


The presence of drug in the body is dependent on uptake (i.e. from the gastrointestinal tract), the distribution (i.e. to tissues and cells) and elimination (i.e. through metabolism in the liver and excretion through the kidneys). In these processes several mechanisms are responsible for transportation, such as passive diffusion, facilitated passive diffusion  (by a carrier) and active (energy-dependent) transport. We study two classes of transporters in this project: Primary active transporters, foremost ABCC5 (MRP5), but also ABCC4 (MRP4) and ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) and tertiary active transporter, primarily SLC22A7 (hOAT2) and other pumps of this class.

Publications: 

The role of OAT2 (SLC22A7) in the cyclic nucleotide biokinetics of human erythrocytes

Molecular model of the outward facing state of the human multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4/ABCC4) (2008)

Reconstitution of ATP-dependent cGMP transport into proteoliposomes by membrane proteins from human erythrocytes (2004)



Members:

Georg Sager (Principal investigator)
Ole Martin Fuskevåg
Aina Westrheim Ravna
Natalia Smaglyukova