ABCG1

ABCG1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter G1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ABCG1 gene. It is a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter family, which is a group of transmembrane proteins that play a crucial role in the transport of various molecules across the intracellular and extracellular membranes.

Function

ABCG1 is involved in macrophage cholesterol and phospholipid transport, and may regulate cellular lipid homeostasis in other cell types. It is also implicated in the regulation of HDL cholesterol levels. ABCG1 functions by promoting the efflux of cholesterol and phospholipids to lipid-poor apolipoproteins, which then form nascent HDL particles.

Clinical Significance

Mutations in the ABCG1 gene have been associated with Tangier disease, a rare inherited disorder characterized by a severe reduction in the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol, in the blood.

Research

Research into ABCG1 has potential implications for the treatment of atherosclerosis, a disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. By understanding the function of ABCG1, scientists hope to develop treatments that can increase the efflux of cholesterol from macrophages, reducing the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

See Also

• ATP-binding cassette transporter
• HDL cholesterol
• Tangier disease
• Atherosclerosis