The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes are key gatekeeper molecules that regulate the amount of dietary cholesterol retained by the body. They are a multifamily comprised of cAMP-dependent anion transporter cell membrane proteins that monitor reverse cholesterol efflux from cells into the peripheral tissues via apolipoprotein A-I (Apo). ABCG8 is expressed at high levels in the liver and intestine.
ABCG2 is a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily. Among ABC transporters ABCG2 is particularly interesting for its potential role in protecting cancer stem cells and its complex oligomeric structure (1).
The high prevalence of atherosclerosis in developed nations is not breaking news; it has been well established that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and it presents a major socioeconomic burden.
