Fatty acid-binding proteins, designated FABPs, are a family of homologous cytoplasmic proteins that are expressed in a highly tissue-specific manner and play an integral role in the balance between lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. FABPs mediate fatty acid (FA) and/or hydrophobic ligand uptake, transport and targeting within their respective tissues. The mechanisms underlying these actions can give rise to both passive diffusional uptake and protein-mediated transmembrane transport of FAs. FABP12 (fatty acid-binding protein 12) is a 132 amino acid protein that belongs to the calycin superfamily and fatty-acid binding protein family. Highly expressed in adult retina and testis, FABP12 may function in lipid transport. The gene encoding FABP12 maps to mouse chromosome 3 A1.