Specialization
transport of drugs and compounds mediated by multidrug resistant associated proteins
Focus of research
The plasma membrane of hepatocytes harbors several drug extrusion pumps, such as MRP2 (ABCC2), ABCG2 and MDR1 (ABCB1) in the canalicular membrane and MRP3 (ABCC3) and MRP4 (ABCC4) in the basolateral membrane. These ATP-dependent transporters are expressed both in liver and in the intestine; therefore they determine to a large extent the pharmacokinetic behaviour of drugs. In mouse strains with disruptions of the various transporter genes (as well as combined gene disruptions) we determine the role of these transporters in pharmacokinetics of various classes of drugs. These issues will become increasingly important for drug development as well as the elucidation of drug-drug interactions.