Fatty acid-binding protein


The fatty-acid-binding proteins are a family of transport proteins for fatty acids and other lipophilic substances such as eicosanoids and retinoids. These proteins are thought to facilitate the transfer of fatty acids between extra- and intracellular membranes. Some family members are also believed to transport lipophilic molecules from outer cell membrane to certain intracellular receptors such as PPAR. The FABPs are intracellular carriers that “solubilize” the endocannabinoid anandamide, transporting AEA to the breakdown by FAAH, and compounds that bind to FABPs block AEA breakdown, raising its level. The cannabinoids are also discovered to bind human FABPs that function as intracellular carriers, as THC and CBD inhibit the cellular uptake and catabolism of AEA by targeting FABPs. Competition for FABPs may in part or wholly explain the increased circulating levels of endocannabinoids reported after consumption of cannabinoids. Levels of fatty-acid-binding protein have been shown to decline with ageing in the mouse brain, possibly contributing to age-associated decline in synaptic activity.

Family members

Members of this family include:
Protein nameGeneTissue distributionComment
FABP 1liver
FABP 2intestinal
FABP 3muscle and heartmammary-derived growth inhibitor
FABP 4adipocyte
FABP 5epidermalpsoriasis-associated
FABP 6ilealgastrotropin
FABP 7brain
FABP 8peripheral nervous systemperipheral myelin protein 2
FABP 9
FABP 11fabp11restricted to fishes
FABP 12presence shown in human retinoblastoma cell lines, rodent retina and testis.

Pseudogenes

PseudogeneComment