In silico and biological analyses of missense variants of the human biliary efflux transporter ABCC2: effects of novel rare missense variants.

Background And Purpose: The ATP-dependent biliary efflux transporter ABCC2, also known as multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2), is essential for the cellular disposition and detoxification of various xenobiotics including drugs as well as endogenous metabolites. Common functionally relevant ABCC2 genetic variants significantly alter drug responses and contribute to side effects. The aim of this study was to determine functional consequences of rare variants identified in subjects with European ancestry using in silico tools and in vitro analyses.

BDNF and cAMP are neuroprotective in a porcine model of traumatic optic neuropathy.

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is a devastating condition that can occur after blunt or penetrating trauma to the head, leading to visual impairment or blindness. Despite these debilitating effects, no clinically available therapeutic targets neuroprotection or promotes axon regeneration in this or any optic neuropathy. Limited data in large-animal models are a major obstacle to advancing treatments toward clinical therapeutics.

Novel drug transporter substrates identification: An innovative approach based on metabolomic profiling, in silico ligand screening and biological validation.

Solute carrier (SLC) transport proteins are fundamental for the translocation of endogenous compounds and drugs across membranes, thus playing a critical role in disease susceptibility and drug response. Because only a limited number of transporter substrates are currently known, the function of a large number of SLC transporters is elusive. Here, we describe the proof-of-concept of a novel strategy to identify SLC transporter substrates exemplarily for the proton-coupled peptide transporter (PEPT) 2 (SLC15A2) and multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) 1 transporter (SLC47A1), which are important renal transporters of drug reabsorption and excretion, respectively.

Hepatic solute carrier transporters and drug therapy: Regulation of expression and impact of genetic variation.

Organic cation transporters (OCT), organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP) and organic anion transporters (OAT) from the solute carrier (SLC) family play an essential role in the uptake of endogenous compounds and drugs into the hepatocytes and other cell types. The well-documented interindividual variability of expression and activity of these transporters translates into interindividual variability in drug pharmacokinetics and drug response. It is therefore important to elucidate mechanisms affecting membrane transporter expression and function.

Hepatic Expression of the Na-Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide Is Independent from Genetic Variation.

The hepatic Na-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide NTCP/ is important for the uptake of bile salts and selected drugs. Its inhibition results in increased systemic bile salt concentrations. NTCP is also the entry receptor for the hepatitis B/D virus.