biology

Prostaglandin D2 receptor

Prostaglandin D2 receptor is a biology topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Prostaglandin D2 receptor rather than just read about it. In short: The prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) receptors are G protein-coupled receptors that bind and are activated by prostaglandin D2. Also known as PTGDR or DP receptors, they are important for various functions of the nervous system and inflammation.

Key takeaways

Prostaglandin D2 receptor belongs to biology; place it in that map before memorising details.
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Reference excerpt

The prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) receptors are G protein-coupled receptors that bind and are activated by prostaglandin D2. Also known as PTGDR or DP receptors, they are important for various functions of the nervous system and inflammation. They include the following proteins:

Prostaglandin D2 receptor 1 (DP1) - PTGDR1 Prostaglandin D2 receptor 2 (DP2) - PTGDR2

Structure The PTGDR gene that encodes the prostaglandin D2 receptor in humans is found on the long arm of chromosome 14 at 14q22.1 and consists of four exons. A 1995 molecular cloning study of the prostaglandin D2 receptor derived from humans found that the corresponding cDNA encoded for a protein with 359 amino acids and molecular mass of 40,276 daltons. The receptor is a heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptor, containing seven rhodopsin-like transmembrane domains, an extracellular NH2 terminus, and an intracellular COOH terminus. The receptor contains a few structural sites at which it can interact with other molecules. For instance, there are three possible sites for N-glycosylation at the Asn-10, Asn-90, and Asn-297 residues. Protein kinase C can also phosphorylate the prostaglandin D2 receptor at two sites in the first and second cytoplasmic loops as well as at six sites in the COOH terminus.

Signal transduction pathway A 2014 journal article described that the PGD2 receptor signaling pathway begins with the binding of prostaglandin D2. After PDG2 binds to the extracellular ligand site on the receptor, the Gs alpha subunit is activated. Activation of the Gs alpha subunit prompts activation of the enzyme adenylate cyclase, which is located on the cell membrane. Adenylate cyclase then catalyzes the change from ATP to cyclic AMP, or cAMP. The result of the PDG2 receptor signaling pathway is a rise in levels of second messenger cAMP, which can proceed to perform other tasks depending on the activated cell. However, several other researchers make distinctions between the two prostaglandin D2 receptor subtypes and their G protein-coupled receptor pathways. They describe that the binding of PDG2 to PTGDR1 activates the Gs alpha subunit, resulting in the subsequent increase of cAMP. This stimulation of cAMP also involves activation of Protein Kinase A and influx of calcium ions through membrane channels. In contrast, the binding of PDG2 to PTGDR2 instead activates the Gi alpha subunit, decreasing cAMP levels and increasing intracellular calcium ion levels through inositol phosphate. These distinctions in signal transduction pathways mediate the different effects of these PDG2 receptor subtypes.

Disease relevance Inflammation: PTGDR1 signaling results in many non-inflammatory effects, such as inhibition of dendritic cell and Langerhans cell migration and eosinophil apoptosis. PTGDR2 mediates several pro-inflammatory effects, including the stimulation of TH2 cells, ILC2, and eosinophils. Asthma: Activation of PTGDR2 amplifies an inflammation cascade by upregulating the expression and release of type 2 cytokines through TH2 cells, ILC2 cells, and eosinophils. These type 2 cytokines lead to symptoms like airway inflammation, increased mucus production, and mucus metaplasia, which are found in asthma conditions. Increase in PTGDR1 signal transduction results in vasodilation, which can promote the migration and likelihood of survival for inflammatory cell types. Neurodegeneration: A 2018 study induced the prostaglandin D2 signaling pathway in mice via PTGDR2 to determine the impact on Parkinson's Disease-like pathology. The researchers observed that the mice with PG treatment developed loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, motor deficits, and other progressive disease-like symptoms. They also discovered PGD2 receptors on dopaminergic cells but not on microglia. Hair growth: The invention relates to compositions and methods for regulating hair growth. Specifically, the invention relates to regulating hair growth by regulating the activity one of the prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) receptors, DP-2 (GPR44). Compositions and methods for regulating hair growth include inhibiting hair growth by administering a DP-2 agonist, or stimulating hair growth by administering a DP-2 antagonist.

See also Eicosanoid receptor Prostaglandin E2 receptor

References

External links Prostaglandin+D2+Receptors at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Prostaglandin D2 receptor

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Prostaglandin D2 receptor claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In biology, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Prostaglandin D2 receptor before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Prostaglandin D2 receptor ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Prostaglandin D2 receptor

In research: Prostaglandin D2 receptor appears in biology research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Prostaglandin D2 receptor in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Prostaglandin D2 receptor is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Eicosanoids, G protein-coupled receptors, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Prostaglandin D2 receptor outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Prostaglandin D2 receptor in 20 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

What is Prostaglandin D2 receptor in simple terms?

Why does Prostaglandin D2 receptor matter?

Because it connects several biology ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Prostaglandin D2 receptor?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Prostaglandin D2 receptor.