A novel adipocyte long chain fatty acid transport protein.

Uptake of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) is a critical function of eukaryotic cells. In the past, a diffusional mechanism has been proposed for passage of these hydrophobic molecules across the plasma membrane. I have recently used an expression cloning strategy to identify a novel integral plasma membrane fatty acid transport protein (FATP), which functions as an LCFA transporter. FATP may play a pivotal role in alterations of cellular metabolism which occur in several pathophysiologic states.