Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2) is a
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 p ...
encoded by the ''FFAR2''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...
.
Expression
''FFAR2'' mRNA is expressed in adipose tissue, pancreas, spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
''FFAR2'' transcription is regulated by the XBP1 transcription factor which binds to the core promoter.
Function
Mouse studies utilizing Ffar2 gene deletions have implicated the receptor in the regulation of energy metabolism and immune responses.
Short-chain fatty acid Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are fatty acids with fewer than six carbon atoms. Derived from intestinal microbial fermentation of indigestible foods, SCFAs are the main energy source of colonocytes, making them crucial to gastrointestinal healt ...
s (SCFA's) generated in the processing of fiber by intestinal microbiota act as ligands for the receptor and can affect neutrophil chemotaxis. However, discrepancies between the pathways activated by FFAR2 agonists in human cells and the equivalent murine counterparts have been observed.
Heteromerization
FFA2 may interact with
FFAR3
Free fatty acid receptor 3 (FFA3) is a G-protein coupled receptor that in humans is encoded by the ''FFAR3'' gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity.. ...
to form a
FFAR2-FFAR3 receptor heteromer
The FFAR2–FFAR3 receptor heteromer is a receptor heteromer consisting of free fatty acid receptors, FFAR2 and FFAR3 protomers.
Signal transduction
The signalling of the FFAR2-FFAR3 receptor heteromer is distinct from that of the parent re ...
with signalling that is distinct from the parent homomers.
See also
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Free fatty acid receptor
The free fatty acid receptor is a G-protein coupled receptor which binds free fatty acids. There are four variants of the receptor, each encoded by a separate gene ( FFAR1, FFAR2, FFAR3, FFAR4). Preliminary findings suggest that FFAR2 and FF ...
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Short-chain fatty acid Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are fatty acids with fewer than six carbon atoms. Derived from intestinal microbial fermentation of indigestible foods, SCFAs are the main energy source of colonocytes, making them crucial to gastrointestinal healt ...
References
Further reading
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External links
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G protein-coupled receptors
{{transmembranereceptor-stub