Importance of fatty acid binding proteins in cellular function and organismal metabolism

Abstract

Fatty acid binding proteins (Fabps) are small soluble proteins that are abundant in the cytosol. These proteins are known to bind a myriad of small hydrophobic molecules and have been postulated to serve a variety of roles, yet their precise functions have remained an enigma over half a century of study. Here, we consider recent findings, along with the cumulative findings contributed by many laboratories working on Fabps over the last half century, to synthesize a new outlook for what functions Fabps serve in cells and organisms. Collectively, the findings illustrate that Fabps function as versatile multi‐purpose devices serving as sensors, conveyors and modulators to enable cells to detect and handle a specific class of metabolites, and to adjust their metabolic capacity and efficiency.

Investigating the Taenia solium Fatty Acid Binding Protein Superfamily for Their Immunological Outlook and Prospect for Therapeutic Targets

“…It can either activate or deactivate protein function. Previously, phosphorylation was associated with the regulation of FABP3 protein function in Homo sapiens . We also analyzed the putative amino acid residues that are sensitive to phosphorylation.…”

“…Previously, phosphorylation was associated with the regulation of FABP3 protein function in Homo sapiens . 42 We also analyzed the putative amino acid residues that are sensitive to phosphorylation. We found that serine and threonine are putatively involved in the phosphorylation of most of these proteins.…”