A New Method for Measuring the Activity of ABC Transporters Proteins in Microgravity
- Paper number
IAC-07-E2.2.02
- Author
Mr. Sergi Vaquer Araujo, Spain
- Coauthor
Mrs. Anna Maria Lluis Cano, Spain
- Year
2007
- Abstract
ABC proteins (ATP binding cassettes) are one of the main active drug transport systems of the cell. Their study in microgravity is a modern, innovating and original idea, which will establish a knowledge base for future research in pharmacotherapy in space and its application on Earth. Although research on these cellular elements has been done since the sixties, their exact mechanism of action is still unknown. Therefore we are developing a system for testing ABC transporter proteins in microgravity. We present a new method for obtaining a valid signal of activity during short amounts of time such as the obtained during a parabolic flight. The method here presented is based on the use of vesicular transport assay in which ABC transporters are attached to a lipid vesicular bilayer. The procedures have been specially configured and optimized to offer a significant signal using MRP2 and E217βG. We are currently obtaining encouraging preliminary data and we expect definitive results by the end of June. A new system for mixing small amounts of reagents during microgravity is also under development. This will allow further studies using ABC’s in microgravity. This is the first phase of a more ambitious project, which will conclude with the system test and evaluation on a parabolic flight.
Supported by: Institut Municipal d’Investigacio Medica (IMIM), University Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and Editorial Prensa Iberica Media Corporation
- Abstract document