ACBP; Diazepam-binding Inhibitor; DBI; Endozepine; EP

Acyl-coenzyme A (CoA)-binding protein (ACBP) is an ubiquitously expressed 86aa polypeptide that binds medium- and long-chain acyl-CoA esters with very high affinity. It plays a role as an intracellular carrier of acyl-CoA esters and regulates lipid metabolism in the cytoplasm of most cell types. In addition to its function within the cells as acyl-coenzyme A (CoA)-binding protein, ACBP also functions as secreted protein called Diazepam-Binding Inhibitor (DBI) that can interact with the benzodiazepine-binding site of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor, GABAAR, and modulate its activity. ACBP is secreted upon induction of autophagy (energy deficiency) in different organisms including mouse and human. ACBP levels correlate with human body mass index (BMI). Increasing ACBP levels in mice triggers lipogenesis, food intake and weight gain and neutralization of ACBP increases lipolysis, reduces food intake post-starvation and causes weight loss in mice.