Abstract
Bile acid (BA) synthesis, circulation and reabsorption are tightly regulated homeostatic processes, essential for normal body function. In humans, multiple feedback systems operate through a variety of signalling mechanisms to control these pathways. Disruptions (inherited or acquired) can result in serious, or even fatal disease, due to the inherently toxic nature of bile acids. Bile acids together with other biliary constituents are actively transported across cellular membranes by a number of specific transporters, which include a number of members of the ABC family. This efflux is driven by ATP hydrolysis and is central to bile formation. This chapter will consider the roles of the key players in bile formation, secretion and recycling known as the enterohepatic circulation. In particular the role of two transporters responsible for the formation of the majority of bile, namely the bile salt export pump (BSEP, ABCB11) and the multidrug resistance protein 3 (MDR3, ABCB4), will be explored
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | The ABC Transporters of Human Physiology and Disease: Genetics and Biochemistry of ATP Binding Cassette Transporters |
| Publisher | World Scientific |
| Edition | 1st |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |