Fatty acid-binding protein 3 (FABP3) (FABP3)

Fatty acid-binding protein 3 (FABP3), commonly known as Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), is a small cytoplasmic protein (15 kDa) that plays a critical role in the intracellular trafficking of long-chain fatty acids (UniProt: P05413). It is highly expressed in tissues with high oxidative activity, such as the myocardium and skeletal muscle, where it shuttles lipids to the mitochondria for energy production (NCBI Gene: 2170). Due to its low molecular weight and high cytoplasmic concentration, H-FABP is rapidly released into the bloodstream following cardiomyocyte injury, serving as a highly sensitive biomarker for the early detection of acute myocardial infarction (PMID: 24511315). In addition to its cardiovascular role, FABP3 is expressed in the central nervous system and has been linked to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's through its interaction with alpha-synuclein (PMID: 31430440). While it is primarily utilized as a diagnostic marker, FABP3 is an emerging therapeutic target for metabolic disorders and chronic pain, with various small-molecule inhibitors currently under investigation (PMID: 22560238). The protein also functions as a mammary-derived growth inhibitor, suggesting a complex role in cell growth regulation and differentiation.

Other names

Heart-type fatty acid-binding proteinH-FABPMuscle fatty acid-binding proteinM-FABPMammary-derived growth inhibitorMDGI

Facilitates the intracellular transport of long-chain fatty acids from the plasma membrane to the mitochondria for beta-oxidation and to the nucleus for transcriptional regulation (UniProt: P05413).