Fabp12, a member of the fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) family, is involved in reversibly binding intracellular hydrophobic ligands and trafficking them across cellular compartments [2]. It has the same structure as other FABP genes and is located in a cluster with FABP4/5/8/9 within a 300,000 bp chromosomal region [3]. FABP12 orthologs are found in mammals. It plays a role in lipid-related bioenergetics and is associated with the PPARγ pathway [1,4].

In prostate cancer, FABP12 is preferentially amplified and/or overexpressed in metastatic tumors compared to primary tumors. It concurrently triggers metastatic phenotypes like epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), leading to increased cell motility and invasion, and lipid bioenergetics, such as increased fatty acid uptake and accumulation, as well as ATP production from fatty acid β-oxidation [1]. Also, the FABP12-Slug-Survivin pathway drives docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer cells [4].

In rat models, FABP12 is expressed in the retina and testis, with a different expression pattern from FABP9 in testicular germ cells, suggesting distinct roles during spermatogenesis [3]. Additionally, in a study on anaphylactic shock due to adverse drug reactions, a negative causal relationship was found between FABP12 and anaphylactic shock [5].

In conclusion, Fabp12 is crucial in lipid-related bioenergetics and plays significant roles in processes such as prostate cancer metastasis and drug resistance, as well as in the development of the retina and testis in mammals. The research on Fabp12 using model-based studies, like those in rat models for expression analysis and in prostate cancer research, helps in understanding its functions and its implications in disease conditions [1,3,4,5].