Ileal bile acid-binding protein (IBABP (also known as FABP6 in humans))

Ileal bile acid-binding protein (IBABP, also known as FABP6 or gastrotropin) is an intracellular lipid-binding protein highly expressed in the cytosol of enterocytes within the distal small intestine. It plays a critical role in the enterohepatic circulation by binding absorbed conjugated and unconjugated bile acids and facilitating their transcellular movement from the apical to basolateral membrane for re-entry into portal blood. This process maintains systemic cholesterol and bile salt homeostasis. Disruption or deficiency can contribute to malabsorption syndromes or liver diseases associated with impaired enterohepatic cycling[1][4][5]. The original query refers to a physiological process ("bile acid binding in intestine"), but for structured data purposes, it should be mapped specifically to its main molecular mediator—IBABP/FABP6—rather than left as an undefined functional description.

Other names

GastrotropinFABP6ileal lipid-binding proteinI-BABP

Facilitates transcellular movement of conjugated and unconjugated bile acids from apical to basolateral membrane in enterocytes[1][5]