Transport Mechanism of Human Bilirubin Transporter ABCC2 Tuned by the Inter-Module Regulatory Domain

Transport mechanism of human bilirubin transporter ABCC2 tuned by the inter-module regulatory domain

Bilirubin is mainly generated from the breakdown of heme when red blood cells reach the end of their lifespan. Accumulation of bilirubin in human body usually leads to various disorders, including jaundice and liver disease. Bilirubin is conjugated in hepatocytes and excreted to bile duct via the ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCC2, dysfunction of which would lead to Dubin-Johnson syndrome. Here we determine the structures of ABCC2 in the apo…

Bilirubin and the brain: Jaundice-associated pigment may protect against malaria

Scientists say they have new experimental evidence of a novel role for bilirubin, a natural yellow pigment found in the body, in protecting humans from the worst effects of malaria and potentially other infectious diseases. The findings could advance the search for drugs that mimic the pigment bilirubin, or deliver it to the body to help protect people from severe forms of some infections.