Lysophosphatidic acid

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a phospholipid derivative that can act as a signaling molecule. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a phospholipid derivative that can act as a signaling molecule. LPA acts as a potent mitogen due to its activation of three high-affinity G-protein-coupled receptors called LPAR1, LPAR2, and LPAR3 (also known as EDG2, EDG4, and EDG7). Additional, newly identified LPA receptors include LPAR4 (P2RY9,GPR23), LPAR5 (GPR92) and LPAR6 (P2RY5,GPR87). Because of its ability to stimulate cell proliferation, aberrant LPA-signaling has been linked to cancer in numerous ways. Dysregulation of autotaxin or the LPA receptors can lead to hyperproliferation, which may contribute to oncogenesis and metastasis.