title: Metabolic functions of FABPs--mechanisms and therapeutic implications.
abstract: Intracellular and extracellular interactions with proteins enables the functional and mechanistic diversity of lipids. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) were originally described as intracellular proteins that can affect lipid fluxes, metabolism and signalling within cells. As the functions of this protein family have been further elucidated, it has become evident that they are critical mediators of metabolism and inflammatory processes, both locally and systemically, and therefore are potential therapeutic targets for immunometabolic diseases. In particular, genetic deficiency and small molecule-mediated inhibition of FABP4 (also known as aP2) and FABP5 can potently improve glucose homeostasis and reduce atherosclerosis in mouse models. Further research has shown that in addition to their intracellular roles, some FABPs are found outside the cells, and FABP4 undergoes regulated, vesicular secretion. The circulating form of FABP4 has crucial hormonal functions in systemic metabolism. In this Review we discuss the roles and regulation of both intracellular and extracellular FABP actions, highlighting new insights that might direct drug discovery efforts and opportunities for management of chronic metabolic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases and Sabri Ülker Center, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Gökhan S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Hotamisligil
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Bernlohr
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: C493410:FABP4 protein, human; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins