The lipid translocase, ABCA4: Seeing is believing

Naomi Laura Pollock, Richard Callaghan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Mutations to members of the A subfamily of ATP binding cassette (ABC) proteins are responsible for a number of diseases; typically they are associated with aberrant cellular lipid transport processes. Mutations to the ABCA4 protein are linked to a number of visual disorders including Stargardt's disease and retinitis pigmentosa. Over 500 disease-associated mutations in ABCA4 have been demonstrated; however, the genotype-phenotype link has not been firmly established. This shortfall is primarily because the function of ABCA4 in the visual cycle is not yet fully understood. One hypothesis suggests that ABCA4 mediates the trans-bilayer translocation of retinal-phosphatidylethanolamine conjugates to facilitate the retinal regeneration process in the visual cycle. This review examines the evidence to support, or refute, this working hypothesis on the function of this clinically important protein.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3204-3214
Number of pages11
JournalFEBS Journal
Volume278
Issue number18
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2011
Externally publishedYes

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