Effect of fatty acid binding proteins on developing human placental malate dehydrogenase activity.

ABSTRACT

Role of fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) in modulating inhibition of human placental malate dehydrogenase by palmitoyl-CoA and oleate has been studied. Activity of human placental cytosolic malate dehydrogenase is detected throughout the gestation, showing a peak at midgestation (20-25 weeks). Inhibition (50%) of the enzyme activity is obtained by 20 microM palmitoyl-CoA or 35 microM oleate. FABPs enhance the activity of malate dehydrogenase in absence of palmitoyl-CoA or oleate and also protect against palmitoyl-CoA or oleate inhibition. Such a modulatory effect of FABP may be due to the binding of long chain fatty acyl-CoA or fatty acid rather than a direct effect of FABPs on the enzyme.