FABP stands for Fatty Acid Binding Protein. It refers to a family of proteins that are involved in the binding, transport, and metabolism of fatty acids within the cells of various organisms. These proteins play a crucial role in regulating the transportation of fatty acids from their site of production to their site of utilization or storage.
FABPs are small, intracellular proteins that have a high affinity for binding free fatty acids. They are present in various tissues, including the liver, adipose tissue, heart, and intestine. These proteins are capable of reversible binding to fatty acids and facilitate their movement across the cytosol or intracellular compartments where they can be metabolized.
The primary function of FABPs is to enhance the solubility of hydrophobic fatty acids and prevent their aggregation within the cell. They function as carrier proteins that shuttle fatty acids from the plasma membrane or endoplasmic reticulum to specific target organelles or enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism.
Additionally, FABPs also participate in the regulation of fatty acid uptake, intracellular trafficking, and gene expression. They can interact with transcription factors and nuclear receptors to modulate the transcription of genes involved in lipid metabolism.
The diversity of FABPs allows them to have specific roles in different tissues. For example, liver FABP predominantly transports fatty acids from the cytoplasm to the nucleus for regulation of gene expression, while intestinal FABP facilitates the transport of fatty acids across the intestinal lining.
Overall, FABPs are critical players in the intricate network of fatty acid metabolism, ensuring the efficient and controlled transport of fatty acids within cells for energy production or storage.
