FABP4
FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4, also known as A-FABP or aP2) is a small lipid transport protein found in adipocytes. It binds long-chain fatty acids and retinoic acid and delivers them to their cognate receptors in the nucleus. Browse Assay Genie's current range of FABP4 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
FABP4 functions as a lipid transport protein in adipocytes. It binds both long-chain fatty acids and retinoic acid, and it delivers these ligands to their cognate receptors in the nucleus. This links the protein to the intracellular handling of hydrophobic molecules that cannot move freely through the aqueous cytoplasm.
The FABP4 gene encodes the fatty acid binding protein found in adipocytes. Fatty acid binding proteins are a family of small, highly conserved, cytoplasmic proteins that bind long-chain fatty acids and other hydrophobic ligands. Their roles are thought to include fatty acid uptake, transport and metabolism. UniProt assigns the protein to the calycin superfamily and the fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) family, and records its location as cytoplasm and nucleus, consistent with its role in carrying ligands towards nuclear receptors.
The protein is known by the aliases A-FABP and aP2, and its UniProt recommended name is fatty acid-binding protein, adipocyte. Orthologues are present in mouse and rat, both named Fabp4, which allows the biology of this protein to be studied in common model species. Other members of the FABP family, such as FABP1, FABP5, FABP6 and FABP7, share the same overall fold and ligand-binding function, and are often studied alongside FABP4 when comparing lipid-binding proteins.
FABP4 is the fatty acid binding protein of adipocytes, making it a natural focus for studies of lipid handling in fat cells.
FABPs are thought to contribute to fatty acid uptake, transport and metabolism, and FABP4 binds long-chain fatty acids.
FABP4 binds retinoic acid and delivers it to its cognate nuclear receptors, linking lipid-binding proteins to nuclear signalling.
As a member of the highly conserved FABP family, FABP4 is used in comparative work on ligand binding and tissue-specific lipid carriers.
FABP4 is a lipid transport protein in adipocytes. It binds long-chain fatty acids and retinoic acid and delivers them to their cognate receptors in the nucleus. The wider FABP family is thought to be involved in fatty acid uptake, transport and metabolism.
FABP4 is also called A-FABP and aP2. The HGNC full name is fatty acid binding protein 4, and UniProt lists the protein as fatty acid-binding protein, adipocyte. The name reflects its identification as the fatty acid binding protein found in adipocytes.
Mouse and rat both have an orthologue named Fabp4. Fatty acid binding proteins as a group are described as small, highly conserved, cytoplasmic proteins. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other members of the fatty acid binding protein family and related lipid-binding targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P15090; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.