The family of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporters is the largest gene family known. While some ABC transporters translocate single substances across membranes with high specificity, others transport a wide variety of different lipophilic compounds. They are responsible for many physiological processes and are also implicated in a number of diseases. The present review focuses on ABC transporter genes which are involved in ageing and age-related diseases. Expression of ABCB1 (MDR1, P-glycoprotein) increases with age in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-lymphocytes indicating that P-glycoprotein may be involved in the secretion of cytokines, growth factors, and cytotoxic molecules. As T cells in aged individuals are hyporesponsive leading to a reduced immunodefence capability, a role of ABCB1 in age-related immunological processes is presumed. The ABCA1 (ABC1) gene product translocates intracellular cholesterol and phospholipids out of macrophages. Genetic aberrations in ABCA1 cause perturbations in lipoprotein metabolism and contribute to atherosclerosis. ABCA4 (ABCR) represents a retina-specific ABC transporter expressed in rod photoreceptor cells. The ABCA4 gene product translocates retinyl-derivatives. Mutations in the ABCA4 gene contribute to age-related macular degeneration. Polymorphisms in the sulfonylurea receptor gene (ABCC8, SUR1) are associated with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Sulfonylureas inhibit potassium conductance and are used to treat NIDDM by stimulation of insulin secretion across ATP-sensitive potassium channels in pancreatic beta-cell membranes. Possible diagnostic and therapeutic implications of ABC transporters for age-related diseases are discussed.

中文翻译：

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三磷酸腺苷结合盒转运蛋白基因与衰老和与年龄有关的疾病。

三磷酸腺苷（ATP）结合盒（ABC）转运蛋白家族是已知的最大基因家族。虽然某些ABC转运蛋白可以高特异性地跨膜转运单个物质，但其他转运蛋白则可以转运各种不同的亲脂性化合物。它们负责许多生理过程，并且还涉及许多疾病。本文综述了与衰老和年龄相关疾病有关的ABC转运蛋白基因。CD4（+）和CD8（+）T淋巴细胞中ABCB1（MDR1，P-糖蛋白）的表达随年龄增长而增加，表明P-糖蛋白可能与细胞因子，生长因子和细胞毒性分子的分泌有关。由于老年人的T细胞反应低下，导致免疫防御能力下降，推测ABCB1在与年龄有关的免疫过程中的作用。ABCA1（ABC1）基因产物将细胞内的胆固醇和磷脂转运出巨噬细胞。ABCA1中的遗传畸变会引起脂蛋白代谢紊乱，并导致动脉粥样硬化。ABCA4（ABCR）代表在杆感光细胞中表达的视网膜特异性ABC转运蛋白。ABCA4基因产物易位视黄醛衍生物。ABCA4基因的突变会导致与年龄相关的黄斑变性。磺酰脲受体基因（ABCC8，SUR1）的多态性与非胰岛素依赖型糖尿病（NIDDM）有关。磺脲类药物可抑制钾电导，可通过刺激胰腺β细胞膜上ATP敏感钾通道的胰岛素分泌来治疗NIDDM。