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ABCA4 is an N-retinylidene-phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylethanolamine importer

Author

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  • Faraz Quazi

    (Centre for Macular Research, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3.)

  • Stepan Lenevich

    (Centre for Macular Research, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3.)

  • Robert S. Molday

    (Centre for Macular Research, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3.)

Abstract

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters comprise a superfamily of proteins, which actively transport a variety of compounds across cell membranes. Mammalian and most eukaryotic ABC transporters function as exporters, flipping or extruding substrates from the cytoplasmic to the extracellular or lumen side of cell membranes. Prokaryotic ABC transporters function either as exporters or importers. Here we show that ABCA4, an ABC transporter found in retinal photoreceptor cells and associated with Stargardt macular degeneration, is a novel importer that actively flips N-retinylidene-phosphatidylethanolamine from the lumen to the cytoplasmic leaflet of disc membranes, thereby facilitating the removal of potentially toxic retinoid compounds from photoreceptors. ABCA4 also actively transports phosphatidylethanolamine in the same direction. Mutations known to cause Stargardt disease decrease N-retinylidene-phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylethanolamine transport activity of ABCA4. These studies provide the first direct evidence for a mammalian ABC transporter that functions as an importer and provide insight into mechanisms underlying substrate transport and the molecular basis of Stargardt disease.

Suggested Citation

  • Faraz Quazi & Stepan Lenevich & Robert S. Molday, 2012. "ABCA4 is an N-retinylidene-phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylethanolamine importer," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-9, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:3:y:2012:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1927
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1927
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    Cited by:

    1. Jessica Fernandes Scortecci & Laurie L. Molday & Susan B. Curtis & Fabian A. Garces & Pankaj Panwar & Filip Petegem & Robert S. Molday, 2021. "Cryo-EM structures of the ABCA4 importer reveal mechanisms underlying substrate binding and Stargardt disease," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.

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