Fatty acid transport proteins: a current view of a growing family

Long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) are a major caloric component of our diet an d are key metabolites for energy generation and storage. Physiological upta ke of LCFAs across cell membranes is a saturable and competable process occ urring at low concentrations, indicative of protein-mediated transport. Fat ty acid transport proteins are a family of transmembrane proteins that enha nce LCFA uptake and are produced in all fatty acid-utilizing tissues. Here, we review our current understanding of the function, expression patterns a nd regulation and subcellular localization of this interesting family of pr oteins.