G protein-coupled receptors for lysophosphatidylethanolamine

Lysophospholipids like lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate have been intensively studied over the last several decades, and these studies have resulted in the identification of their G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and in the discoveries of new drugs targeting GPCRs. However, lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) has not attracted much research attention. Recently, we found several interesting points regarding the action and signaling of LPE, that is, its cell-type dependence, structure specificity, and unique signaling. In particular, LPE signaling through LPA1 receptor (type 1 lysophosphatidic acid receptor) was found to be cell type dependent, and LPEs with different chain lengths induced different responses in different cells without LPA1 involvement. Here, we review recent findings and propose possible action modes of LPE GPCRs in different cells.