TY - JOUR

T1 - The Zinc-Sensing Receptor GPR39 in Physiology and as a Pharmacological Target

AU - Laitakari, Anna

AU - Liu, Lingzhi

AU - Frimurer, Thomas M.

AU - Holst, Birgitte

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - The G-protein coupled receptor GPR39 is abundantly expressed in various tissues and can be activated by changes in extracellular Zn2+ in physiological concentrations. Previously, genetically modified rodent models have been able to shed some light on the physiological functions of GPR39, and more recently the utilization of novel synthetic agonists has led to the unraveling of several new functions in the variety of tissues GPR39 is expressed. Indeed, GPR39 seems to be involved in many important metabolic and endocrine functions, but also to play a part in inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, saliva secretion, bone formation, male fertility, addictive and depression disorders and cancer. These new discoveries offer opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic approaches against many diseases where efficient therapeutics are still lacking. This review focuses on Zn2+ as an endogenous ligand as well as on the novel synthetic agonists of GPR39, placing special emphasis on the recently discovered physiological functions and discusses their pharmacological potential.

AB - The G-protein coupled receptor GPR39 is abundantly expressed in various tissues and can be activated by changes in extracellular Zn2+ in physiological concentrations. Previously, genetically modified rodent models have been able to shed some light on the physiological functions of GPR39, and more recently the utilization of novel synthetic agonists has led to the unraveling of several new functions in the variety of tissues GPR39 is expressed. Indeed, GPR39 seems to be involved in many important metabolic and endocrine functions, but also to play a part in inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, saliva secretion, bone formation, male fertility, addictive and depression disorders and cancer. These new discoveries offer opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic approaches against many diseases where efficient therapeutics are still lacking. This review focuses on Zn2+ as an endogenous ligand as well as on the novel synthetic agonists of GPR39, placing special emphasis on the recently discovered physiological functions and discusses their pharmacological potential.

KW - GPR39

KW - GPR39 agonist

KW - zinc

KW - zinc signaling

U2 - 10.3390/ijms22083872

DO - 10.3390/ijms22083872

M3 - Review

C2 - 33918078

VL - 22

JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Online)

JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Online)

SN - 1661-6596

IS - 8

M1 - 3872

ER -