The role of membrane transport proteins in 5-ALA-induced accumulation of protoporphyrin iX in tumor cells

Abstract

Features of the expression of membrane importers of 5-ALA, as well as transporters involved in the removal of photoactive precursors of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) (uro-, copro- and protoporphyrinogens), may cause differences in the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy of malignant neoplasms using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). Increased expression of ALA transporters is associated with an increase in the intensity of PPIX synthesis. When the expression of PPIX exporters increases, there is a decrease in PPIX concentration. The review describes the main transporters of 5-ALA, uro-, copro- and protoporphyrinogens, provides data on their expression in various tissues, and discusses the possibility of predicting the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy considering the expression of the corresponding transport proteins in malignant tissues.

Keywords

• photodynamic therapy
• 5-aminolevulinic acid
• protoporphyrin ix
• transmembrane transporters