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Merck

GPR109A and vascular inflammation.

Current atherosclerosis reports (2013-03-26)
Joshua T Chai, Janet E Digby, Robin P Choudhury
ABSTRACT

GPR109A has generated expanding interest since its discovery as the receptor for niacin a decade ago, along with deorphanisation as the receptor for endogenous ligand 3-hydroxy-butyrate shortly after. This interest is generated especially because of the continuing exploration of niacin's "pleiotropic" mechanisms of action and its potential in the "cross-talk" between metabolic and inflammatory pathways. As GPR109A's primary pharmacological ligand in clinical use, niacin has been used for over 50 years in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, mainly due to its favourable effects on plasma lipoproteins. However, it has become apparent that niacin also possesses lipoprotein-independent effects that influence inflammatory pathways mediated through GPR109A. In addition to its G-protein-mediated effects, recent evidence has emerged to support alternative GPR109A signalling via adaptive protein β-arrestins. In this article, we consider the role of GPR109A and its downstream effects in the context of atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation, along with insights into strategy for future drug development.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Supelco
Nicotinic acid, analytical standard
Sigma-Aldrich
Nicotinic acid sodium salt, 98%
Sigma-Aldrich
Nicotinic acid, ≥98%
Sigma-Aldrich
Nicotinic acid, BioReagent, suitable for cell culture, suitable for insect cell culture, suitable for plant cell culture, ≥98%
Sigma-Aldrich
Nicotinic acid, ≥99.5% (HPLC)
Sigma-Aldrich
Nicotinic acid, meets USP testing specifications
Supelco
Niacin (Nicotinic Acid), Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material