Detection, tissue distribution and (sub)cellular localization of fatty acid-binding protein types

This overview of recent work on FABP types is focussed on their detection and expression in various tissues, their cellular and subcellular distribution and their binding properties. Besides the 3 well-known liver, heart and intestinal types, new types as the adipose tissue, myelin and (rat) renal FABPs have been described. Recent observations suggest the occurrence of more tissue-specific types, e.g. in placenta and adrenals. Heart FABP is widely distributed and present in skeletal muscles, kidney, lung, brain and endothelial cells. The cellular distribution of FABP types appears to be related to the function of the cells in liver, muscle and kidney. The presence of FABP in cellular organelles requires more evidence. The functional significance of the occurrence of more FABP types is unclear, in spite of the observed differences in their ligand-protein interaction.