Cellular Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins II: Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins, Maastricht, August 31 and September 1, 1992(10 Developments in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry)

20 years have elapsed since cytoplasmic proteins exhibiting high-affinity binding of long-chain fatty acids were first identified (Ockner,et al; Science 177:56-58, 1972). These cellular fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are now well-established to comprise a ligand-defined group of macromolecules belonging to a family of cytoplasmic lipid binding proteins. Unique features of the FABPs are the existence of distinct types of FABP and that these are found in a variety of tissues in remarkable abundance, with some cells expressing more than one type. The physiological significance of the FABPs has only partly been elucidated. By increasing the cytoplasmic solubilization of fatty acids, the cellular FABPs are considered to function primarily in intracellular fatty acid transport, but may also be assigned important regulatory roles in cellular lipid homeostasis as well as in the modulation of cell growth and differentiation. The broad interests in cellular FABPs has led to the organization of the 1st International Workshop on Fatty Acid-Binding Protein, held in Maastricht, the Netherlands, in 1989. Prompted by the success of the first meeting, the 2nd International Workshop on Fatty-Acid-Binding Proteins, which was held again in Maastricht, on August 31 and September 1, 1992, brought together scientific scpecialists in the field of FABP research for two days. This volume is a collection of selected papers from this conference, and thus provides the state-of-the-art knowledge of cellular FABPs. The contributors to this issue represent new investigators, and also reflect the multidisciplinary nature of research in this rapidly progressing field.

Table of Contents:
Preface.- High resolution X-ray studies of mammalian intestinal and muscle fatty acid-binding proteins provide an opportunity for defining the chemical nature of fatty acid: protein interactions.- Solution structure of bovine heart fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABPc).- Involvement of arginine in the binding of heme and fatty acids to fatty acid-binding protein from bovine liver.- Titration calorimetry as a binding assay for lipid-binding proteins.- Identification of high affinity membrane-bound fatty acid-binding proteins using a photoreactive fatty acid.- Diversity of fatty acid-binding protein structure and function: studies with fluorescent ligands.- Genome organization and expression of the rat ACBP gene family.- Regulation of transcription factor mRNA accumulation during 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation by antagonists of adipogenesis.- Expression of rat L-FABP in mouse fibroblasts: role in fat absorption.- Research of an in vitro model to study the expression of fatty acid-binding proteins in the small intestine.- Mechanisms of regulation of liver fatty acid-binding protein.- Fatty acid-binding protein and its relation to fatty acid oxidation.- Modulation of fatty acid-binding protein content of adult rat heart in response to chronic changes in plasma lipid levels.- Expression and localization of intestinal 15 kDa protein in the rat.- Retinal FABP principally localizes to neurons and not to glial cells.- The function of acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP)/Diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI).- Purification and partial characterisation of an ?-tocopherol-binding protein from rabbit heart cytosol.- Role of fatty acid-binding protein in lipid metabolism of insect flight muscle.- Developmental changes of FABP concentration, expression, and intracellular distribution inlocust flight muscle.- Characterization of the nonspecific lipid transfer protein EP2 from carrot (Daucus carota L.).- Significance of cytoplasmic fatty acid-binding protein for the ischemic heart.- Release of fatty acid-binding protein and long chain fatty acids from isolated rat heart after ischemia and subsequent calcium paradox.- Fatty acid-binding proteinuria diagnoses myocardial infarction in the rat.- Cellular binding proteins for fatty acids and retinoids: similar or specialized functions.