Sandbox Reserved 1174: Difference between revisions

Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptors (LPA) are part of a larger family known as lysophospholipid receptor family ([http://jb.oxfordjournals.org/content/131/6/767.long EDG family]), including the archetype sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors (S1P₁). The only structure previously reported in this GPCR family was of S1P₁, and it provides a comparison for differential structure and function to LPA₁. <ref name= "Chrencik"/> A major difference was observed in ligand access between these two receptors.  The binding path in LPA₁ is located in the extracellular milieu, while in S1P₁ the ligand accesses the binding pocket through the membrane (Figure 3). The overall shape of each binding pocket is also different, as the S1P₁ binding pocket has more of an oval shape, whereas [[Image:LPA S1P.png|300px|left|thumb|'''Figure 3:''' Comparison of the binding pockets of LPA₁ and S1P₁ receptors.  The electron density (tan) of the binding pocket is shown around the ligand (purple). The limited binding sites of the receptors are shown in tan.]] the LPA₁ binding pocket has a more spherical shape (Figure 3). The more spherical binding pocket for LPA₁ gives it the ability to recognize a larger group of chemical species.  In particular, LPA₁ has the ability to bind with ligands that have acyl chains of varying lengths <ref name= "Chrencik"/>.  Since LPA₁ binds with a variety of acyl chains, it can be used in multiple pathways.