FABP5

This gene encodes the fatty acid binding protein found in epidermal cells, and was first identified as being upregulated in psoriasis tissue. Fatty acid binding proteins are a family of small, highly conserved, cytoplasmic proteins that bind long-chain fatty acids and other hydrophobic ligands. FABPs may play roles in fatty acid uptake, transport, and metabolism. Polymorphisms in this gene are associated with type 2 diabetes. The human genome contains many pseudogenes similar to this locus.[provided by RefSeq, Feb 2011]

Full Name

Fatty Acid Binding Protein 5

Research Area

Intracellular carrier for long-chain fatty acids and related active lipids, such as endocannabinoids, that regulate the metabolism and actions of the ligands they bind. In addition to the cytosolic transport, selectively delivers specific fatty acids from the cytosol to the nucleus, wherein they activate nuclear receptors (PubMed:22170058, PubMed:21395585).

Delivers retinoic acid to the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta; which promotes proliferation and survival. May also serve as a synaptic carrier of endocannabinoid at central synapses and thus controls retrograde endocannabinoid signaling. Modulates inflammation by regulating PTGES induction via NF-kappa-B activation, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) biosynthesis during inflammation (By similarity).

May be involved in keratinocyte differentiation (PubMed:8092987).

Biological Process

Epidermis development Source: ProtInc
Glucose homeostasis Source: Ensembl
Glucose metabolic process Source: Ensembl
Lipid metabolic process Source: ProtInc
Lipid transport across blood-brain barrier Source: ARUK-UCL
Long-chain fatty acid transport Source: ARUK-UCL
Negative regulation of glucose transmembrane transport Source: Ensembl
Phosphatidylcholine biosynthetic process Source: Ensembl
Positive regulation of cold-induced thermogenesis Source: YuBioLab
Positive regulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor signaling pathway Source: Ensembl
Regulation of prostaglandin biosynthetic process Source: Ensembl
Regulation of retrograde trans-synaptic signaling by endocanabinoid Source: UniProtKB
Regulation of sensory perception of pain Source: Ensembl

Cellular Location

Secreted; Cytoplasm; Nucleus; Synapse; Postsynaptic density. Localizes primarily to the cytoplasm. Upon certain ligand binding, a conformation change exposes a nuclear localization motif and the protein is transported into nucleus (PubMed:24692551). Secreted by astrocytes, but not by neurons (By similarity).