Implication of Acyl Coenzyme A Binding Protein (ACBP) in Cushing Syndrome

Acyl coenzyme A binding protein (ACBP), encoded by the diazepam binding protein (DBI) gene, plays a pivotal role in stimulating appetite and lipo-anabolic reactions, showing correlations with laboratory indications of metabolic syndrome in ostensibly healthy individuals. In a screening effort targeting inhibitors of ACBP/DBI expression among distinct neuroendocrine factors, we discovered that glucocorticoids induce ACBP/DBI secretion in cultured cells. In mouse models of iatrogenic Cushing syndrome, antibody-mediated neutralization of ACBP/DBI prevented the metabolic consequences of prolonged glucocorticoid administration. Our findings suggest that a surge in extracellular ACBP/DBI may mediate crucial aspects of Cushing syndrome.