ABC transporters: circadian rhythms and sex-related differences

Importance of ABC transporters in different tissues

“…Recent studies have clearly stated the crucial role of ABC transporters in cellular resistance to anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antiviral drugs [4]. Failure of chemotherapy on cancer cells is often linked to the expression and efflux activity of ABC transporters [3,5]. On the basis of the ability of ABC transporters to extrude xenobiotics outside the cell, nine of the known ABC transporter proteins were observed to be linked to multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype.…”

“…ABC transporters also play a significant role in placental cells mediating normal fetal development and participate in distribution of nutrients and exchange of metabolites across the placenta [2]. In adults, the activity of these molecules was reported to be associated with an individual's circadian rhythm [3].…”