ABC Transporters: Structure, Function, and Regulation

• ABC transporters are one of the largest and most widespread families of membrane transport proteins found in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes.
• The term ABC stands for ATP-Binding Cassette, referring to the conserved ATP-binding domain that powers transport.
• ABC transporters play an important role:
• uptake of nutrients
• export of toxic compounds, antibiotics, and signaling molecules.

Definition

• ABC transporters are ATP-driven membrane transport proteins that move substrates across biological membranes using energy derived from ATP hydrolysis

Microbial Physiology and Metabolism