AE Binding Protein 1 (AEBP1)

AEBP1 binds to a regulatory sequence, adipocyte enhancer 1 (AE-1), located in the proximal promoter region of the adipose P2 (aP2) gene, which encodes the adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein. It is characterized as a member of the regulatory B-like CP family. This protein seems to be activated by a novel mechanism, whereby the direct binding of DNA enhances its protease activity. Adipocyte-enhancer binding protein 1 may play a role in differentiated vascular smooth muscle cells. The deduced 1,158-amino acid ACLP protein contains a putative signal peptide; an 11-residue lys/pro-rich motif repeated 4 times in the N terminus; a domain with 30% identity to the slime mold adhesion protein discoidin I; and a C-terminal 500-amino acid domain with 39% identity to carboxypeptidase E (CPE).