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The prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptors are
G protein-coupled receptor G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), also known as seven-(pass)-transmembrane domain receptors, 7TM receptors, heptahelical receptors, serpentine receptors, and G protein-linked receptors (GPLR), form a large group of evolutionarily related ...
s that bind and are activated by prostaglandin E2. They are members of the prostaglandin receptors class of receptors and include the following
Protein isoform A protein isoform, or "protein variant", is a member of a set of highly similar proteins that originate from a single gene and are the result of genetic differences. While many perform the same or similar biological roles, some isoforms have uniqu ...
s: * Prostaglandin E2 receptor 1 (EP1) - * Prostaglandin E2 receptor 2 (EP2) - * Prostaglandin E2 receptor 3 (EP3) - * Prostaglandin E2 receptor 4 (EP4) -


Research

An antagonist of a prostaglandin E2 receptor has been shown to serve as an affective contraceptive for female
macaques The macaques () constitute a genus (''Macaca'') of gregarious Old World monkeys of the subfamily Cercopithecinae. The 23 species of macaques inhabit ranges throughout Asia, North Africa, and Europe (in Gibraltar). Macaques are principally fru ...
while unaffecting their menstrual cyclicity as well as hormonal patterns. The exact reason behind the reduced amount of successful pregnancies of primates during the study is unclear due a number of possibilities that may affect such result. Inhibition of the prostaglandin EP4 receptor has been shown to inhibit tumor growth,
angiogenesis Angiogenesis is the physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels, formed in the earlier stage of vasculogenesis. Angiogenesis continues the growth of the vasculature mainly by processes of sprouting and ...
,
lymphangiogenesis Lymphangiogenesis is the formation of lymphatic vessels from pre-existing lymphatic vessels in a method believed to be similar to angiogenesis (blood vessel development). Lymphangiogenesis plays an important physiological role in homeostasis, me ...
, and
metastasis Metastasis is a pathogenic agent's spreading from an initial or primary site to a different or secondary site within the host's body; the term is typically used when referring to metastasis by a cancerous tumor. The newly pathological sites, ...
.


Prostaglandin E2 and its effect on inflammation

Prostaglandins are derived from the parent molecule
arachidonic acid Arachidonic acid (AA, sometimes ARA) is a polyunsaturated omega−6 fatty acid 20:4(ω−6), or 20:4(5,8,11,14). It is a precursor in the formation of leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and thromboxanes. Together with omega−3 fatty acids an ...
. The synthesis of prostaglandins can be blocked by anti-inflammatory drugs such as
ibuprofen Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to relieve pain, fever, and inflammation. This includes dysmenorrhea, painful menstrual periods, migraines, and rheumatoid arthritis. It can be taken oral administration, ...
.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs A nonsteroidal compound is a drug that is not a steroid nor a steroid derivative. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are distinguished from corticosteroids as a class of anti-inflammatory agents. List of nonsteroidal steroid receptor mod ...
(NSAIDs) block the synthesis of cyclooxygenases (COX) which in turn produce prostaglandins.
Prostaglandins Prostaglandins (PG) are a group of physiologically active lipid compounds called eicosanoids that have diverse hormone-like effects in animals. Prostaglandins have been found in almost every tissue in humans and other animals. They are derive ...
(PG) are the result of an enzyme cascade pathway that includes two enzymes cyclooxygenase and PG synthase. Prostaglandin E2 is produced by PGE synthase via the activation of EP1-4 receptors. Prostaglandin E2 is associated with the development of vascular diseases that lead to inflammation in the body. In the human body, PGE2 is involved in the control of the vascular smooth muscle, cell migration, and the division of a cell into two daughter cells. The process of producing two daughter cells via cell division is called
cell proliferation Cell proliferation is the process by which ''a cell grows and divides to produce two daughter cells''. Cell proliferation leads to an exponential increase in cell number and is therefore a rapid mechanism of tissue growth. Cell proliferation ...
.


See also

* Prostaglandin receptors *
Prostaglandin Prostaglandins (PG) are a group of physiology, physiologically active lipid compounds called eicosanoids that have diverse hormone-like effects in animals. Prostaglandins have been found in almost every Tissue (biology), tissue in humans and ot ...


References


External links

* Eicosanoids G protein-coupled receptors {{biochemistry-stub