FABP1

Discovery

The fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) were initially discovered in 1972 with experiments using ¹⁴C labelled oleate to identify the presence of a soluble fatty acid carrier in the enterocyte responsible for intestinal absorption of (LCFAs). Since then, ten members of the FABP family have been identified on the human genome. Nine are well established (FABP1-9) with a recently discovered tenth (FABP12). Each FABP corresponds to particular organs/tissue around the body where they play a role in fatty-acid uptake, transport and metabolism.

Gene location

The human FABP1 gene is located on the short (p) arm of chromosome 2 from base pair 88,122,982 to base pair 88,128,131.

Protein structure

FABP1 has been found to have a unique structure compared to other members of the FABP family, allowing it to bind multiple ligands simultaneously. It also has a larger solvent-accessible core compared to other FABPs allowing more diverse substrate binding. The “portal hypothesis” has been proposed to explain the binding process of FABPs. It has been suggested that fatty acids enter the solvent-accessible area of the protein through a dynamic region consisting of α-helix II and turns between βC-βD and βE-βF loops. The fatty acid is then bound in the protein cavity for transport.

Function

The FABPs are a family of small, highly conserved cytoplasmic proteins involved in the binding of LCFAs. FABP1 is expressed abundantly in the human liver where it accounts for 7-11% of the total cytosolic protein, and can also be found in the intestine, kidney, pancreas stomach and lung. FABP1 is unique in the wider range of other hydrophobic ligands it can bind including bilirubin, monoglycerides, bile acids and fatty acyl CoA. It has been proposed that FABP1 plays a significant role in preventing cytotoxicity by binding heme, fatty acids and other molecules that are potentially toxic when unbound.

Mutations

On exon 3 of the human FABP1 gene an Ala to Thr substitution has been identified leading to a T94A missense mutation. Carriers of this particular single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) exhibit higher baseline plasma-free fatty acid levels, lower BMI and a smaller waist circumference. The T94A mutant has also been associated with metabolic syndrome conditions, cardiovascular disease and T2DM.

Suppression

Studies with mice to determine the effect of suppressing the FABP1 gene have been performed. When provided with high-fat or high-cholesterol based diets those with suppressed FABP1 expression demonstrated a significant impact on metabolic regulation and weight gain.

Increased levels in obesity

A study in Chinese young adults indicates a strong relationship between serum FABP1 levels and lipid profile, body measurements and homeostatic parameters. Increased BMI and insulin resistance in subjects demonstrated higher serum FABP1 with a particular correlation in subjects with central adiposity. This elevation is suggested to occur as a compensatory up-regulation of the protein in an attempt to counter the high metabolic stress associated with obesity. Alternately obesity may in fact lead the human body to develop resistance to the actions of FABP1 leading to the compensatory up-regulation.

Disease marker

Evaluation of increased levels of urinary and serum FABP1 have also shown to be effective markers in the detection of intestinal ischaemia, progressive end-stage renal failure and ischaemic damage caused by renal transplantation or cardiac bypass surgery.