Transport of organic anions by multidrug resistance-associated protein in the erythrocyte

The active transport of oxidized glutathione and glutathione S-conjugates h as been demonstrated for the first time in erythrocytes and this cell remai ned the main subject of research on the "glutathione S-conjugate pump" for years. Further studies identified the "glutathione S-conjugate pump" as mul tidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP). Even though cells overexpressin g MRP and isolated MRP provide useful information on MRP structure and func tion, the erythrocyte remains an interesting model cell for studies of MRP1 in its natural environment, including the substrate specificity and ATPase activity of the protein.