Description
Product Characteristics: Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4, RBP) is a 21 kDa secreted protein, a member of the lipocalin family and is known as the primary transporter of retinol (vitamin A) to tissues. A recent report revealed RBP4 as an adipokine linking glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) suppression in adipose tissue to insulin. Elevated human and mouse serum RBP4 levels are associated with insulin resistance and its severity, obesity and certain components of metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, human serum RBP4 levels are closely related to renal function.
Target Information: This protein belongs to the lipocalin family and is the specific carrier for retinol (vitamin A alcohol) in the blood. It delivers retinol from the liver stores to the peripheral tissues. In plasma, the RBP-retinol complex interacts with transthyretin which prevents its loss by filtration through the kidney glomeruli. A deficiency of vitamin A blocks secretion of the binding protein posttranslationally and results in defective delivery and supply to the epidermal cells. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]