Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein expression stimulates fibroblasts fatty acid esterification. Prows, Daniel R., Eric J. Murphy, Dino Moncecchi, and Friedhelm Schroeder. Division of Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, College of Pharmacy, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0004 and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A & M University, TVMC, College Station, TX 77843-4466
APStracts 3:0015G, 1996.
Mouse L-cell fibroblasts were transfected with the cDNA encoding for rat intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP). I-FABP levels in stable transfectants were 0.35% of the total cytosolic proteins. Mock transfected L-cell clones were also isolated and did not differ from control L-cells in any properties tested. I-FABP expressing cells preferentially esterified exogenous [3H]-oleic acid into the neutral lipid fraction with a 2.0-fold increase in the esterification rate compared to control cells after 30 min of incubation. The [3H]-oleic acid was primarily esterified into the triacylglycerol and cholesteryl ester fractions. Both triacylglycerol and cholesteryl ester levels were significantly increased by 60% and 20%, respectively, in I-FABP expressing cells. [3H]-oleic acid esterification into total phospholipids was decreased by 28% in I -FABP expressing cells. Phospholipid levels were not significantly different between L-cells and I-FABP expressing cells, indicating I -FABP did not alter phospholipid homeostasis. These observed differences suggest a distinct role for I-FABP in intracellular lipid trafficking and metabolism.

Received 11 September 1995; accepted in final form 27 December
1995.
APS Manuscript Number G401-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Gastrointest. Liver
Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 22 January 96