Mouse ATP Binding Cassette TransPorter A13 (ABCA13) Protein

Background

ABCA13 (ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 13) is a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily, a large group of proteins that facilitate the transport of various substrates across cellular membranes. ABCA13, encoded by the ABCA13 gene on chromosome 7p12, is the largest known ABC transporter, with a coding sequence of over 5000 amino acids. Although the precise substrates transported by ABCA13 remain to be fully elucidated, its expression in neural and psychiatric contexts has drawn attention to its potential role in the central nervous system. Emerging studies suggest its involvement in lipid transport, vesicle trafficking, and membrane organization. ABCA13 is predominantly expressed in the brain, particularly in regions associated with neural activity, such as the hippocampus, cortex, and striatum. It has also been detected in other tissues, including the lungs and liver, albeit at lower levels. Dysregulation of ABCA13 has been implicated in neuropsychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.