Cholesterol efflux transporter in macrophages that is responsible for APOAI/high-density lipoproteins (HDL) formation at the plasma membrane under high cholesterol levels and participates in reverse cholesterol transport (PubMed:25125465). May play a role in the processing of autolysosomes (By similarity). ATP + cholesterol(in) + H2O = ADP + cholesterol(out) + H(+) + phosphate Localized at cell membrane under high cholesterol levels. Ubiquitously expressed. Highly expressed in testis, skeletal muscle, kidney, liver and placenta. Expressed in both the epithelial and mesenchymal compartments, present within the outer root sheath (ORS) of the hair follicle as well as dermal sheath (PubMed:24831815). Expressed in multiple regions of the brain, including the hippocampus, superior frontal and inferior temporal cortices (PubMed:25125465). Strongly expressed in neurons and moderately in microglia, with only weak expression in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes (PubMed:25125465). Expressed in fetal liver, kidney and brain. N-glycosylated. Belongs to the ABC transporter superfamily. ABCA family. Database for mutations in ABC proteins