ACBP Background Information
Long chain acyl-CoA esters (LCAs) act as both substrates and intermediates in metabolism, and as regulators of various intracellular functions. Acyl-CoA binding protein (ACBP) specifically binds to LCA with high affinity and regulates its availability. ACBP is structurally and functionally conserved among a diverse group of organisms, including human, rat, frog, insect, plant and yeast. DBI, the gene encoding human ACBP, which maps to chromosome 2, is highly expressed in liver, soleus muscle and heart. The ACBP protein is also abundant in cells with a high level of lipogenesis and de novo fatty acid synthesis. Expression of ACBP is significantly induced during adipocyte differentiation. DBI is a target gene for proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) g, and is directly activated by PPAR?/RXR? and PPAR?/RXR?, but not by PPAR?/ RXR?. In addition to acyl-CoA binding and transport, ACBP is also implicated in g-aminobutyric acid type A receptor binding, steroidogenesis and peptide hormone release.
