title: Platelet-activating factor receptor.
abstract: Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a pro-inflammatory lipid mediator possessing a unique 1-O-alkyl glycerophospholipid (GPC) backbone (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholin). Cloned PAF receptor, which belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily, transduces pleiotropic functions including cell motility, smooth muscle contraction, and synthesis and release of mediators and cytokines via multiple heterotrimeric G proteins. Pharmacological studies have suggested that PAF functions in a variety of settings including allergy, inflammation, neural functions, reproduction, and atherosclerosis. Establishment of PAFR(-/-) mice confirmed that the PAF receptor is responsible for pro-inflammatory responses, but that its roles in other settings remain to be clarified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan. Honda-phy@h.u-tokyo.ac.jp
authors.forename: Zen-ichiro
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimizu
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C039351:platelet activating factor receptor