University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy >
       University of Minnesota - Twin Cities >
          Dissertations and Theses >
             Dissertations >

Please use this permanent URL to cite or link to this item: http://purl.umn.edu/48078

Title: Protein-protein interactions and the characterization of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein.
Authors: Thompson, Brian Raymond
Keywords: AFABP
HSL
JAK2
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics
Issue Date: Jan-2009
Abstract: Adipose tissue functions to not only store and provide an energy source in the form of triacylglycerol but to signal the nutritional status of those reserves through the secretion of adipokines and lipids. In obesity, this homeostatic regulation of whole body lipid metabolism is compromised resulting in disease states, such as type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein, AFABP/aP2, functions to solubilize and traffic fatty acids, and other lipid metabolites, within the aqueous environment of the adipocyte. AFABP/aP2 knockout mice are resistance to diet and genetic induced obesity linked insulin resistance, while still being obese. The molecular mechanisms of this uncoupling of obesity and insulin resistance have not been elucidated. The identification and characterization of HSL and JAK2 as interacting partners of AFABP/aP2 are presented here. Fatty acid binding by AFABP/aP2 is necessary for the interactions, as indicated by the loss of interactions with the fatty acid binding mutant R126L/Y128F of AFABP/aP2. The phosphorylation state of HSL and JAK2 regulates their interaction with AFABP/aP2. An ExYK motif in AFABP/aP2, DDYMK, in the helix-turn-helix domain is the site of these interactions and a similar ExYK motif in HSL and JAK2 are important for these interactions. We propose that AFABP/aP2 is a fatty acid sensor, through lipid-regulated interaction, from AFABP/aP2's helix-turn-helix domain to an ExYK motif in HSL and JAK2. Furthermore, through its lipid-regulated interactions, AFABP/aP2 is a homeostatic regulator of whole body lipid metabolism, coordinating gene expression, signal transduction and metabolism.
Description: University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. January 2009. Major: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics. Advisor: David A. Bernlohr. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 139 pages. Ill. (some col.)
Permanent URL: http://purl.umn.edu/48078
Appears in Collections:Dissertations

Files in This Item:

File Description SizeFormat
Thompson_umn_0130E_10169.pdf5341KbPDFView/Open

Items in the Digital Conservancy are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

 

©2007 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources :: Privacy
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.