Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2), Free fatty acid receptor 3 (FFAR3), Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCA2) (FFAR2, FFAR3, HCA2)

The butyric acid GPCRs are a group of G protein-coupled receptors activated by butyric acid, primarily including Free Fatty Acid Receptor 2 (FFAR2), Free Fatty Acid Receptor 3 (FFAR3), and Hydroxycarboxylic Acid Receptor 2 (HCA2). These receptors are key mediators of the effects of short-chain fatty acids produced by gut microbiota and play pivotal roles in immune regulation, inflammation, energy balance, and metabolic homeostasis. Activation of these receptors by butyrate leads to anti-inflammatory effects, modulation of intestinal barrier function, and beneficial metabolic consequences. Due to these roles, FFAR2, FFAR3, and HCA2 are of strong therapeutic interest in inflammatory diseases, metabolic syndrome, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions, although no approved drugs targeting them currently exist[1][2][6].

Other names

FFAR2 (GPR43)FFAR3 (GPR41)HCA2 (GPR109A, Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2)

Agonists like butyric acid activate these receptors, mediating anti-inflammatory, metabolic, and immune-modulatory effects primarily via Gi/o protein-coupled pathways[2][6].