Retinol binding protein 7 (RBP7)

Retinol binding protein 7 is an intracellular carrier protein primarily expressed in endothelial cells of small blood vessels, as well as kidney, heart, and colon tissues. It belongs to the CRBP family, is encoded by the *RBP7* gene on human chromosome 1, and transports retinol and fatty acids within cells to help regulate vitamin A metabolism and stability. RBP7 serves both as a direct target gene and a cofactor of PPARγ in vascular endothelium, essential for protection against oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction during cardiovascular challenges such as obesity and angiotensin II exposure. It binds several retinol isomers (all-trans-, 13-cis-, and 9-cis-retinol) and plays a role in a PPARγ/RBP7/adiponectin transcriptional pathway critical for vessel health. While it does not currently have direct drug modulators in clinical use, its regulatory role makes it a candidate therapeutic target for cardiovascular and metabolic disease intervention.

Other names

CRBP4CRBPIVCRABP4CRABP-IVCellular retinoic acid-binding protein IVCellular retinoic acid-binding protein 4

Drugs that activate PPARγ (such as rosiglitazone) upregulate RBP7, which mediates antioxidant and protective responses in endothelial cells