Fatty acid–sensing G protein–coupled receptor

Fatty acid–sensing G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), sometimes called free fatty acid receptors (FFARs) or lipid-sensing GPCRs, are a subgroup of cell-surface receptors that detect extracellular free fatty acids and initiate intracellular signaling responses[1][2][4]. This family includes several distinct GPCRs—most notably GPR40 (FFAR1), GPR41 (FFAR3), GPR43 (FFAR2), GPR84, GPR119, and GPR120 (FFAR4)—which differ in fatty acid chain-length specificity, tissue localization, and biological roles[1][2]. These receptors regulate immune responses, metabolic signaling, and inflammation[1][2][3][4]. Dysregulation or targeting of these receptors is implicated in obesity, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and inflammatory diseases[1][3][4]. Each molecular subtype is studied individually as a potential therapeutic target, especially for metabolic diseases, but "fatty acid–sensing GPCR" as a class is a descriptive group rather than a single drug target.

Other names

Fatty acid receptorLipid-sensing GPCRFree fatty acid receptorFFAR

Ligand (fatty acid)-induced activation of intracellular signaling pathways, notably via G proteins such as Gq/11[3]. Modulation of PI3K/Akt pathway leading to glucose uptake[3].