ABC Transporters:
Nature’s Gatekeepers for Brain Health
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a large family of membrane-bound proteins that play a vital role in maintaining cellular and tissue homeostasis. By harnessing the energy of ATP hydrolysis, these transporters actively shuttle a broad range of molecules – including lipids, xenobiotics, metabolic byproducts, and peptides – across cellular membranes.
In the central nervous system, specific ABC transporters are essential for protecting the brain by facilitating the clearance of harmful compounds such as amyloid-beta peptides, a key driver of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. They are also involved in regulating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress – two critical processes that contribute to neuronal dysfunction and degeneration.
At Caladrix, we harness the therapeutic potential of ABC transporters by developing small-molecule drugs that selectively activate or modulate their function. Our approach is designed to enhance the brain’s natural defense mechanisms, promoting the clearance of neurotoxic proteins, dampening chronic inflammation, and restoring redox balance. By targeting the root causes of neurodegeneration rather than just the symptoms, we aim to shift the paradigm in the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other age-related cognitive disorders.
Through deep scientific expertise and precision pharmacology, we are unlocking a new class of disease-modifying therapies – rooted in the biology of the body’s own transport systems.