This concise volume describes the latest, up-to-date theory, methodology, and applications of ABC transporters in microorganisms. The topics include the structure, physiology, and evolution of ABC transporters, as well as their special characteristics in specific microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast, trypanosomes, and malaria parasites. In particular, the book describes the most recent research and innovations relative to the role of ABC transporters in the design of strategies to circumvent drug resistance in microorganisms. Each chapter comprises an exhaustive review of the particular topic and provides insights into the future of the field, both from the scientific and clinical perspective. A skillful selection of topics and a panel of acknowledged experts ensure that this concise volume will be of exceptional importance to everyone involved in DNA superfamily research, as well as scientists interested in microbial physiology and multidrug resistance. It is essential reading for anyone involved in this field, and it is a recommended volume for all microbiology laboratories.

Ch. 1 ABC Transporters: A Smart Example of Molecular Machineries by Thorsten Jumpertz and I. Barry Holland and Lutz Schmitt Ch. 2 Evolution and Function of the Multidrug Resistance-linked ABC Transporters in Bacteria and Cancer Cells by Zuben E. Sauna and Suresh V. Ambudkar Ch. 3 Structure-function Relationships in ABC Multidrug Transporters by Daniel A. P. Gutmann and Hendrik W. van Veen Ch. 4 Can ABC Proteins Confer Drug Resistance in Microorganisms without Being Export Pumps? by James M. Dorrian and Ian D. Kerr Ch. 5 ABC-type Multidrug Resistance Transporters and their Role in Survival of Bacteria by Patrick J. Bakkes and H. Bart van den Berg van Saparoea and Arnold J.M. Driessen Ch. 6 ABC Transporters in Plasmodium falciparum and their Involvement in Resistance to Antimalarial Drugs Bruno Pradines, Veronique Parquet and Eve Orlandi-Pradines Ch. 7 Cellular Functions of ABC Proteins in Trypanosomatidae Philippe Leprohon, Danielle Legare and Marc Ouellette Ch. 8 ATP-binding Cassette (ABC) Transporters in Yeasts, their Role in Multidrug Resistance and Survival Hina Sanwal, Sneh Lata Panwar and Rajendra Prasad Ch. 9 ABC Transporter Blockers and Reversal of Drug Resistance in Microorganisms Alicia Ponte-Sucre, Maritza Padrsn-Nieves, Emilia Dmaz Ch. 10 ABC Transporters as Target for RNA Interference-mediated Reversal of Multidrug Resistance: Implications in Microorganisms Hermann Lage Index Colour Plates