SLC27A

SLC27A, also known as the fatty acid transport protein (FATP) family, comprises a group of membrane proteins encoded by the human SLC27A genes. The family includes six members, designated SLC27A1 through SLC27A6, and each is also referred to by the name FATP1 through FATP6. These proteins participate in the uptake and activation of long-chain fatty acids and are involved in broader lipid metabolic pathways that influence energy homeostasis.

The six human SLC27A genes and their common protein names are:

- SLC27A1 (FATP1)

- SLC27A2 (FATP2)

- SLC27A3 (FATP3)

- SLC27A4 (FATP4)

- SLC27A5 (FATP5)

- SLC27A6 (FATP6)

Expression patterns vary by tissue. FATP1 is often enriched in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle; FATP2 is prominent in liver and kidney; FATP3 has notable expression in brain; FATP4 is widely expressed; FATP5 is enriched in liver and intestine and may participate in bile acid–related processes; FATP6 is observed in heart and skeletal muscle. Subcellular localization can include the plasma membrane and intracellular membranes, and several FATPs exhibit acyl-CoA synthetase activity in addition to a role in fatty acid transport.

Functionally, SLC27A proteins are involved in the uptake of long-chain fatty acids and their activation to fatty acyl-CoA, linking transport to metabolism. The exact balance between transporter activity and enzymatic activation varies among family members and tissues, and mechanisms remain an active area of study. Clinically, altered SLC27A expression or function has been associated with metabolic conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis in experimental models, highlighting potential relevance as targets for metabolic disease research.