aP2 (adipocyte Protein 2)[1] is a carrier protein for fatty acids that is primarily expressed in adipocytes and macrophages. aP2 is also called fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4). Blocking this protein either through genetic engineering or drugs[2][3] has the possibility of treating heart disease,[4] diabetes,[5] asthma,[6] obesity,[7] and fatty liver disease.[8]
↑Baxa CA, Sha RS, Buelt MK, Smith AJ, Matarese V, Chinander LL, Boundy KL, Bernlohr DA (1989). "Human adipocyte lipid-binding protein: purification of the protein and cloning of its complementary DNA". Biochemistry. 28 (22): 8683–90. doi:10.1021/bi00448a003. PMID2481498.
↑Maeda K, Cao H, Kono K, Gorgun CZ, Furuhashi M, Uysal KT, Cao Q, Atsumi G, Malone H, Krishnan B, Minokoshi Y, Kahn BB, Parker RA, Hotamisligil GS (2005). "Adipocyte/macrophage fatty acid binding proteins control integrated metabolic responses in obesity and diabetes". Cell Metab. 1 (2): 107–19. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2004.12.008. PMID16054052.
↑Makowski L, Hotamisligil GS (2005). "The role of fatty acid binding proteins in metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis". Curr. Opin. Lipidol. 16 (5): 543–8. doi:10.1097/01.mol.0000180166.08196.07. PMID16148539.