The role of lysophosphaditic acid-induced signaling in inflammation and tumourigenesis

Abstract

Lypophosphaditic acid (LPA) is a phospholipid that is active as signal molecule. The extracellular synthesis of LPA by the enzyme, autotaxin (ATX), is esential for its role as ignalling molecule. Six various LPA receptors have been identified as G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). These LPA receptors induce various signalling routes involving mapkinases, PI3K/PKB resulting in inducing proliferation, survival and inflammation. These signalling routes are inportant for immune cell functions such as lymphocyte homing. Secondly, these pathways are also involved in tumourigenesis. Additionally, many inflammation reactions contribute to the induction of tumourigenesis such as chronic inflammation. LPA-induced signalling and ATX activity are associated in various cancers and auto-immune/allergy mediated diseases. Therefore, the role of LPA-induced signallen and ATX can form a an new target for drug development in the fight against inflammation and cancer.