RBP5 Human

Retinol Binding Protein-5 (RBP5) is a member of the cellular retinol-binding protein family, which plays a crucial role in the intracellular transport of retinol (vitamin A alcohol). This protein is encoded by the RBP5 gene and is primarily expressed in the kidney and liver .

RBP5 is a protein coding gene that produces a non-glycosylated polypeptide chain with 155 amino acids. The recombinant form of this protein is often fused with a His-tag at the N-terminus to facilitate purification and detection . The primary function of RBP5 is to bind and transport retinol within cells, ensuring the proper delivery of this essential nutrient to various tissues .

RBP5 is highly expressed in the adult kidney and liver, with lower levels of expression observed in the adult and fetal spleen, adult lymph nodes, appendix, and fetal liver and kidney . This distribution suggests that RBP5 plays a significant role in the metabolism and storage of retinol in these organs.

The down-regulation of RBP5 has been associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, where its reduced expression correlates with larger tumor size and poorer patient survival rates . Additionally, diseases such as Nephrotic Syndrome, Type 1, have been linked to mutations or dysregulation of the RBP5 gene .

RBP5 is involved in several biological pathways, including MIF-mediated glucocorticoid regulation and apoptotic pathways in synovial fibroblasts . These pathways highlight the protein’s role in cellular stress responses and inflammation.

Human recombinant RBP5 is typically produced in E. coli to achieve a high yield of the protein. The recombinant form is used in various research applications, including studies on retinol metabolism, protein-protein interactions, and the development of therapeutic interventions .