Crystal structure and thermodynamic analysis of human brain fatty acid-binding protein.

Article Details

Citation

Balendiran GK, Schnutgen F, Scapin G, Borchers T, Xhong N, Lim K, Godbout R, Spener F, Sacchettini JC

Crystal structure and thermodynamic analysis of human brain fatty acid-binding protein.

J Biol Chem. 2000 Sep 1;275(35):27045-54.

PubMed ID
10854433 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

Expression of brain fatty acid-binding protein (B-FABP) is spatially and temporally correlated with neuronal differentiation during brain development. Isothermal titration calorimetry demonstrates that recombinant human B-FABP clearly exhibits high affinity for the polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and for monounsaturated n-9 oleic acid (K(d) from 28 to 53 nm) over polyunsaturated n-6 fatty acids, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid (K(d) from 115 to 206 nm). B-FABP has low binding affinity for saturated long chain fatty acids. The three-dimensional structure of recombinant human B-FABP in complex with oleic acid shows that the oleic acid hydrocarbon tail assumes a "U-shaped" conformation, whereas in the complex with docosahexaenoic acid the hydrocarbon tail adopts a helical conformation. A comparison of the three-dimensional structures and binding properties of human B-FABP with other homologous FABPs, indicates that the binding specificity is in part the result of nonconserved amino acid Phe(104), which interacts with double bonds present in the lipid hydrocarbon tail. In this context, analysis of the primary and tertiary structures of human B-FABP provides a rationale for its high affinity and specificity for polyunsaturated fatty acids. The expression of B-FABP in glial cells and its high affinity for docosahexaenoic acid, which is known to be an important component of neuronal membranes, points toward a role for B-FABP in supplying brain abundant fatty acids to the developing neuron.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
IcosapentFatty acid-binding protein, brainProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
Details
Drug Carriers
DrugCarrierKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
alpha-Linolenic acidFatty acid-binding protein, brainProteinHumans
Unknown
Not AvailableDetails
Oleic AcidFatty acid-binding protein, brainProteinHumans
Unknown
Not AvailableDetails
Polypeptides
NameUniProt ID
Fatty acid-binding protein, brainO15540Details