Sphingosylphosphorylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine: G protein-coupled receptors and receptor-mediated signal transduction

In recent years, certain lysophospholipids (lyso-PLs) have been recognized as important cell signaling molecules. Among them, two phosphorylcholine-containing lyso-PLs, sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), have been shown to be involved in many cellular processes and are produced under physiological and pathological conditions. Although signaling properties of SPC and LPC have been studied in a variety of cellular systems, specific cell membrane receptors for SPC and LPC have not been identified previously. Recently, ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 (OGR1, also known as GPR68), G protein-coupled receptor 4 (GPR4), and G2A have been identified as receptors for SPC and LPC. The signaling and ligand-binding properties of these receptors are reviewed here. These discoveries provide an intriguing opportunity and a novel approach in studying the pathophysiological roles of SPC and LPC and their receptors.