P-glycoprotein in blood brain barrier

ABSTRACT

The endothelial cells of the blood brain barrier prevent the transport of enormous number of substances into the brain. An important component of this barrier is the P-glycoprotein [P-gp]. It is an efflux protein that is ATP dependent and thus rightly called the "traffic ATPase" involved in extrusion of compounds, using the energy of ATP hydrolysis to move the variety of structurally unrelated compounds and preventing their accumulation within the brain. Understanding of structure and function of the drug transporter P-gp in the blood brain barrier will pave the way to more tailored and targeted therapies for complex diseases