Potential role of the ABCG2-Q141K polymorphism in type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disease and variations in multispecific membrane transporter functions may affect T2DM development, complications or treatment. In this work we have analyzed the potential effects of a major polymorphism, the Q141K variant of the ABCG2 transporter in T2DM. The ABCG2 protein is a multispecific xeno- and endobiotic transporter, affecting drug metabolism and playing a key role in uric acid extrusion.

Alterations in erythrocyte membrane transporter expression levels in type 2 diabetic patients.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common multifactorial diseases and several membrane transporters are involved in its development, complications and treatment. We have recently developed a flow-cytometry assay panel for the quantitative determination of red cell membrane protein levels with potential relevance in diseases. Here we report a detailed phenotypic analysis of a medium scale, clinically based study on the expression of T2DM-related membrane proteins, the GLUT1, GLUT3, MCT1, URAT1, ABCA1, ABCG2 and the PMCA4 transporters in erythrocytes.