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Drug design based on the function of membrane transporters in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion

Dongli Sun, Huidi Jiang*, Su Zeng*   

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Drug Metabolism, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
  • Received:2012-05-12 Revised:2012-08-20 Online:2012-10-25 Published:2012-10-25
  • Contact: Huidi Jiang*, Su Zeng*

Abstract:

Membrane transporters mediate the influx and efflux of various drugs, and play essential roles in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME). The unique characteristics of membranes transporters potentiate them as targets for developing drugs with ideal pharmacokinetics profiles, including targeted distribution, improved clinical efficacy and low adverse reaction. In this review, we summarize the tissue-specific expression, transport functions and substrates profiles of the major influx and efflux transporters, including solute carrier (SLC) superfamily and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily. Moreover, we describe examples of successful drug or prodrug design based on the function of transporters that yielded drugs with excellent ADME properties. Lastly, we discuss the in vitro and in vivo methods that are broadly applied in the drug designing process to study the interactions between the drugs and the transporters.

Key words: ABC transporter, SLC transporter, Influx, Efflux, Drug design

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