Transporterom

Transporterom is a term used in molecular and systems biology to describe the complete set and interaction network of transporter proteins that move substrates across biological membranes. It encompasses proteins that import nutrients, export waste, and regulate ion and metabolite flux, including membrane transporters such as solute carrier (SLC) family members, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, exchangers, pumps, and vesicular transport proteins. The transporterom can refer to the transporter gene repertoire encoded in a genome (the transporterome) or the expressed and functional network within a given cell type or tissue, incorporating expression levels, protein localization, and regulatory interactions.

Defining a transporterom involves integrating multi-omics data to capture potential capabilities, actual abundance, regulation, and localization. Genomics and transcriptomics indicate possible transporters, while proteomics and phosphoproteomics reveal realized protein levels and modifications. Metabolomics maps substrate flux, and computational models simulate transport pathways to understand homeostasis or drug interactions. The transporterom concept is used in pharmacology and toxicology to predict drug absorption and distribution, as well as in precision medicine to account for tissue-specific transporter profiles and genetic variants.

Limitations include tissue specificity, dynamic regulation, redundancy, and incomplete functional annotation. The term remains a conceptual framework rather than a formal database, with ongoing efforts to standardize nomenclature and integrate data across species. The suffix “-om” mirrors other -omes in biology, signaling a holistic view of transporter systems rather than single proteins.