RBP4

This protein belongs to the lipocalin family and is the specific carrier for retinol (vitamin A alcohol) in the blood. It delivers retinol from the liver stores to the peripheral tissues. In plasma, the RBP-retinol complex interacts with transthyretin which prevents its loss by filtration through the kidney glomeruli. A deficiency of vitamin A blocks secretion of the binding protein posttranslationally and results in defective delivery and supply to the epidermal cells. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Full Name

Retinol Binding Protein 4

Function

Retinol-binding protein that mediates retinol transport in blood plasma (PubMed:5541771).
Delivers retinol from the liver stores to the peripheral tissues (Probable). Transfers the bound all-trans retinol to STRA6, that then facilitates retinol transport across the cell membrane (PubMed:22665496).

Biological Process

Biological Process cardiac muscle tissue developmentISS:BHF-UCL
Biological Process embryonic organ morphogenesisISS:BHF-UCL
Biological Process embryonic retina morphogenesis in camera-type eyeISS:BHF-UCL
Biological Process embryonic skeletal system developmentISS:BHF-UCL
Biological Process eye developmentManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIMP:BHF-UCL
Biological Process female genitalia morphogenesisISS:BHF-UCL
Biological Process gluconeogenesisManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIMP:BHF-UCL
Biological Process glucose homeostasisManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:BHF-UCL
Biological Process heart developmentISS:BHF-UCL
Biological Process heart trabecula formationISS:BHF-UCL
Biological Process lung developmentISS:BHF-UCL
Biological Process maintenance of gastrointestinal epitheliumManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:BHF-UCL
Biological Process negative regulation of cardiac muscle cell proliferationISS:BHF-UCL
Biological Process positive regulation of immunoglobulin productionISS:BHF-UCL
Biological Process positive regulation of insulin secretionManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIMP:BHF-UCL
Biological Process response to retinoic acidManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:BHF-UCL
Biological Process retinol metabolic processManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIMP:BHF-UCL
Biological Process retinol transportManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIBA:GO_Central
Biological Process urinary bladder developmentISS:BHF-UCL
Biological Process uterus developmentISS:BHF-UCL
Biological Process vagina developmentISS:BHF-UCL
Biological Process visual perceptionIEA:UniProtKB-KW

Cellular Location

Secreted

Involvement in disease

Retinal dystrophy, iris coloboma, and comedogenic acne syndrome (RDCCAS):
A disease characterized by retinal degeneration, ocular colobomas involving both the anterior and posterior segment, impaired night vision and loss of visual acuity. Additional characteristic features include developmental abnormalities and severe acne.
Microphthalmia, isolated, with coloboma, 10 (MCOPCB10):
A disorder of eye formation, ranging from small size of a single eye to complete bilateral absence of ocular tissues. Ocular abnormalities like opacities of the cornea and lens, scaring of the retina and choroid, and other abnormalities may also be present. Ocular colobomas are a set of malformations resulting from abnormal morphogenesis of the optic cup and stalk, and the fusion of the fetal fissure (optic fissure).

RBP4

Anti-RBP4 antibodies