Retinol Binding Protein 4 (Plasma retinol-binding protein, PRBP, RBP, RBP4, PRO2222)

Retinol binding protein (RBP) 4 is the only specific transport protein for vitamin A in the circulation whose function is to deliver vitamin to target tissues (1). In obesity and type 2 diabetes, expression of Glut4 is significantly impaired in adipocytes. Glucose transport via Glut4 is the rate-limiting step for glucose use by muscle and adipose tissue (2). Yang et al. noted that adipocyte-specific deletion of Gluts led to notable elevation of RBP4 causing systemic insulin resistance, and that reduction of RBP4 improved insulin resistance (3). This identified a novel role of RBP4 in regulating insulin action and RBP4 is recorded as an adipocyte-derived hormone. Thus, measurement of serum or plasma RBP4 is a useful means for understanding of metabolic disorders.