AP2
Encyclopedia
aP2 is a carrier protein
Carrier protein
Carrier proteins are proteins involved in the movement of ions, small molecules, or macromolecules, such as another protein, across a biological membrane. Carrier proteins are integral membrane proteins; that is they exist within and span the membrane across which they transport substances. The...

 for fatty acids that is primarily expressed in adipocytes and macrophage
Macrophage
Macrophages are cells produced by the differentiation of monocytes in tissues. Human macrophages are about in diameter. Monocytes and macrophages are phagocytes. Macrophages function in both non-specific defense as well as help initiate specific defense mechanisms of vertebrate animals...

s. aP2 is also called fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4). Blocking this protein either through genetic engineering or drugs has the possibility of treating heart disease, diabetes, asthma, obesity, and fatty liver disease.
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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