Transporters, Trojan horses and therapeutics: suitability of bile acid and peptide transporters for drug delivery

Membrane transporters are major determinants for the pharmacokinetic, safety and efficacy behavior of drugs. Available technologies to study function and structure of transport proteins has strongly stimulated research in transporter biology and uncovered their importance for the drug discovery and development process, especially for drug absorption and disposition. Physiological transport systems are investigated as potential ferries to improve drug absorption and membrane permeation and to achieve organ-specific drug action. In particular, the bile acid transport systems in the liver and the small intestine and the oligopeptide transporters are of significant importance for molecular drug delivery.