Cellular lipid binding proteins as facilitators and regulators of lipid metabolism

Adipose tissue releases a large range of bioactive factors called adipokines, many of which are involved in inflammation, glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Under pathological conditions such as obesity, most of the adipokines are upregulated and considered as deleterious, due to their pro-inflammatory, pro-atherosclerotic or pro-diabetic properties, while only a few are downregulated and would be designated as beneficial adipokines, thanks to their counteracting properties against the onset of comorbidities. This review focuses on six adipose-derived lipid-binding proteins that have emerged as key factors in the development of obesity and diabetes: Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), Apolipoprotein D (APOD), Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), Lipocalin-14 (LCN14) and Apolipoprotein M (APOM). These proteins share structural homology and capacity to bind small hydrophobic molecules but display opposite effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. RBP4 and FABP4 are positively associated with metabolic syndrome, while APOD and LCN2 are ubiquitously expressed proteins with deleterious or beneficial effects, depending on their anatomical site of expression. LCN14 and APOM have been recently identified as adipokines associated with healthy metabolism. Recent findings on these lipid-binding proteins exhibiting detrimental or protective roles in human and murine metabolism and their involvement in metabolic diseases are also discussed.

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Lipid-binding proteins and lipoprotein lipase activity in human skeletal muscle: influence of physical activity and gender

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.01278.2003 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 97 (4) ◽

pp. 1209-1218 ◽

Cited By ~ 89

Author(s):

Bente Kiens ◽

Carsten Roepstorff ◽

Jan F. C. Glatz ◽

Arend Bonen ◽

Peter Schjerling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lipid Metabolism ◽

Lipoprotein Lipase ◽

Binding Proteins ◽

Mrna Level ◽

Lipid Binding ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Training Status ◽

Fatty Acid Binding ◽

Muscle Lipid ◽

Lipid Binding Proteins

The protein and mRNA levels of several muscle lipid-binding proteins and the activity and mRNA level of muscle lipoprotein lipase (mLPL) were investigated in healthy, nonobese, nontrained (NT), moderately trained, and endurance-trained (ET) women and men. FAT/CD36 protein level was 49% higher ( P < 0.05) in women than in men, irrespective of training status, whereas FAT/CD36 mRNA was only higher ( P < 0.05) in women than in men in NT subjects (85%). Plasma membrane-bound fatty acid binding protein (FABPpm) content was higher in ET men compared with all other groups, whereas training status did not affect FABPpm content in women. FABPpm mRNA was higher ( P < 0.05) in NT women than in ET women and NT men. mLPL activity was not different between gender, but mLPL mRNA was 160% higher ( P < 0.001) in women than in men. mLPL activity was 48% higher ( P < 0.05) in ET than in NT subjects, irrespective of gender, in accordance with 49% higher ( P < 0.05) mLPL mRNA in ET than in NT subjects. A 90-min exercise bout induced an increase ( P < 0.05) in FAT/CD36 mRNA (∼25%) and FABPpm mRNA (∼15%) levels in all groups. The present study demonstrated that, in the NT state, women had higher muscle mRNA levels of several proteins related to muscle lipid metabolism compared with men. In the ET state, only the gender difference in mLPL mRNA persisted. FAT/CD36 protein in muscle was higher in women than in men, irrespective of training status. These findings may help explain gender differences in lipid metabolism and, furthermore, suggest that the balance between gene transcription, translation, and possibly breakdown of several proteins in muscle lipid metabolism depend on gender.

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