title: TGR5: a novel target for weight maintenance and glucose metabolism.
abstract: TGR5, an emerging G protein-coupled receptor, was identified as a membrane receptor for bile acids. The expression of TGR5 and its function are distinct from the previously identified nuclear bile acid receptor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR). These two bile acid receptors complement with each other for maintaining bile acid homeostasis and mediating bile acid signaling. Both receptors are also shown to play roles in regulating inflammation and glucose metabolism. An interesting finding for TGR5 is its role in energy metabolism. The discovery of TGR5 expression in brown adipocyte tissues (BATs) and the recent demonstration of BAT in adult human body suggest a potential approach to combat obesity by targeting TGR5 to increase thermogenesis. We summarize here the latest finding of TGR5 research, especially its role in energy metabolism and glucose homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gene Regulation and Drug Discovery, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaosong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Guiyu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.forename: Zhipeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Wendong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; C473772:GPBAR1 protein, human; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D005947:Glucose