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Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are members of the intracellular lipid-binding protein (iLBP) family and are involved in reversibly binding intracellular hydrophobic ligands and trafficking them throughout cellular compartments, including the peroxisomes, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus. FABPs are small, structurally conserved cytosolic proteins consisting of a water-filled, interior-binding pocket surrounded by ten anti-parallel beta sheets, forming a beta barrel. At the superior surface, two alpha-helices cap the pocket and are thought to regulate binding. FABPs have broad specificity, including the ability to bind long-chain (C16-C20) fatty acids, eicosanoids, bile salts and peroxisome proliferators. FABPs demonstrate strong evolutionary conservation and are present in a spectrum of species including Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, mouse and human. The human genome consists of nine putatively functional protein-coding FABP genes. The most recently identified family member, FABP12, has been less studied.

Lipid peroxidation yields the aldehydes 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) and 4-oxononenal (4ONE). Protein adduction by 4HNE is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Currently, the reactivity of 4ONE toward proteins is unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify amino acids that react with 4HNE and 4ONE, characterize the chemical structure of the adduct, and determine the preference for amino acid modification. Model peptides containing one or more nucleophilic residues (i.e., Arg, Cys, His, Met, and Lys) were reacted with 4HNE and 4ONE and analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Post-source decay analysis was used to confirm peptide modification. The bimolecular rate constant for adduction of amino acids and peptides by 4HNE and 4ONE was measured. Results of this work indicate that Cys, His, and Lys are modified by 4HNE and 4ONE. In addition, Arg was adducted by 4ONE. The predominant adduct resulting from modification of peptides by 4HNE or 4ONE had a mass of 156 or 154 Da (respectively), indicating that adduction occurs via Michael addition. Reactivity of amino acids toward 4HNE and 4ONE was found to have the following order: Cys >> His > Lys (> Arg for 4ONE). The presence of an Arg on a Cys-containing peptide increased the reaction rate with 4HNE and 4ONE by a factor of approximately 5-6 compared to the Cys nucleophile alone. Rate constants determined for the modification of Cys by the lipid aldehydes demonstrated a >100-fold difference in reactivity between 4HNE and 4ONE toward Cys. Results of the present study indicate that both 4HNE and 4ONE modify amino acid nucleophiles; however, the reactivity between these two lipid aldehydes differs both qualitatively and quantitatively.

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Acrolein and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) are by-products of lipid peroxidation and are thought to play central roles in various traumatic injuries and disease states that involve cellular oxidative stress; e.g., spinal cord trauma, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease. In this Commentary, we will discuss the chemical attributes of acrolein and HNE that determine their toxicities. Specifically, these aldehydes are classified as type-2 alkenes and are characterized by an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl structure. This structure is a conjugated system that contains mobile pi electrons. The carbonyl oxygen atom is electronegative and can promote the withdrawal of mobile electron density from the β carbon atom causing regional electron deficiency. Based on this type of electron polarizability, both acrolein and HNE are considered to be soft electrophiles that preferentially form 1,4-Michael type adducts with soft nucleophiles. Proteomic, quantum mechanical and kinetic data will be presented indicating that cysteine sulfhydryl groups are the primary soft nucleophilic targets of acrolein and HNE. This is in contrast to nitrogen groups on harder biological nucleophiles such as lysine or histidine residues. The toxicological outcome of adduct formation is not only dependent upon residue selectivity, but also the importance of the targeted amino acid in protein function or structure. In attempting to discern the toxicological significance of a given adduct, we will consider the normal roles of cysteine, lysine and histidine residues in proteins and the relative merits of corresponding adducts in the manifestations of diseases or toxic states. Understanding the molecular actions of acrolein and HNE could provide insight into many pathogenic conditions that involve initial cellular oxidative stress and could, thereby, offer new efficacious avenues of pharmacological defense.