Structural analysis of ibuprofen binding to human adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein (FABP4).
Gonzalez, J.M., Fisher, S.Z.(2015) Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 71: 163-170
- PubMed: 25664790 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S2053230X14027897
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
3P6C, 3P6D, 3P6E, 3P6F, 3P6G, 3P6H, 3RZY - PubMed Abstract: 
Inhibition of human adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein (FABP4) has been proposed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis. However, FABP4 displays a naturally low selectivity towards hydrophobic ligands, leading to the possibility of side effects arising from cross-inhibition of other FABP isoforms. In a search for structural determinants of ligand-binding selectivity, the binding of FABP4 towards a group of small molecules structurally related to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen was analyzed through X-ray crystallography. Several specific hydrophobic interactions are shown to enhance the binding affinities of these compounds, whereas an aromatic edge-to-face interaction is proposed to determine the conformation of bound ligands, highlighting the importance of aromatic interactions in hydrophobic environments.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Protein Crystallography Station, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.