Description
Fatty acid-binding proteins, designated FABPs, are a family of homologous cytoplasmic proteins that are expressed in a highly tissue-specific manner and play an integral role in the balance between lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. FABPs mediate fatty acid (FA) and/or hydrophobic ligand uptake, transport and targeting within their respective tissues. The mechanisms underlying these actions can give rise to both passive diffusional uptake and protein-mediated transmembrane transport of FAs. FABPs are expressed in adipocytes (A-FABP), brain (B-FABP), epithelium (E-FABP, psoriasis-associated FABP, PA-FABP), striated muscle and heart (H-FABP, mammary-derived growth inhibitor or MDGI), intestine (I-FABP), liver (L-FABP or FABP1), myelin (M-FABP) and testis (T-FABP). FABP1 (L-FABP) expression is modulated by developmental, hormonal, dietary and pharmacological factors, and is required for cholesterol synthesis and metabolism