PAR-2: structure, function and relevance to human diseases of the gastric mucosa.
PAR-2 (protease-activated receptor 2), a G-protein-coupled receptor activated by certain serine proteases such as trypsin and tryptase, is now considered a physiologically important molecule and also a novel target for drug development. PAR-2 is widely distributed in the mammalian body, especially throughout the alimentary system. PAR-2 plays various roles in the alimentary, circulatory, respiratory and neuronal systems. In the gastric mucosa, PAR-2 modulates multiple functions and exerts mucosal cytoprotection mainly by activating sensory neurons. Thus, PAR-2 would appear to be a therapeutic target for treatment of gastric mucosal injury. Agonists and/or antagonists for PAR-2 might also be applicable to the clinical treatment of patients with inflammatory diseases in other organs.
Kawabata
Atsufumi
A
Department of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kinki University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-Osaka 577-8502, Japan. kawabata@phar.kindai.ac.jp
D000818:Animals; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D044464:Receptor, PAR-2 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*
D044464:Receptor, PAR-2