P15090

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. The human A-FABP gene is organized into 4 exons, maps to chromosome 8q21, and encodes a 132-amino acid protein. A-FABP protein comprises approximately 1% of the total cytosolic protein in human adipose tissue.