Mouse Bile Salt Export Pump (ABCB11) Protein

Background

ABCB11, also known as the bile salt export pump (BSEP), is an essential transporter located on the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes. It is responsible for exporting bile salts from the liver into bile, a critical step in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats and the excretion of waste products. ABCB11 is ATP-dependent and plays a vital role in maintaining bile flow and preventing bile salt accumulation, which can damage liver cells. Mutations in the ABCB11 gene are associated with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 (PFIC2), a severe liver disorder characterized by impaired bile salt secretion and liver damage. Dysregulation or inhibition of ABCB11 is also implicated in drug-induced cholestasis and liver injury. Its essential function in bile production and liver health makes it a critical target for understanding and treating cholestatic diseases.