LPA: a novel lipid mediator with diverse biological actions

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), the smallest and structurally simplest phospholipid, is a platelet-derived serum factor that evokes a wide range of biological effects, including stimulation of fibroblast proliferation, platelet aggregation, cellular motility, tumour cell invasiveness and neurite retraction. This review summarizes recent insights into the mode of action of LPA. LPA appears to activate its own G-protein-coupled receptor(s) to initiate both classic and novel signal cascades. Of particular interest is LPA's ability to activate the Ras pathway and to stimulate protein tyrosine phosphorylation in concert with remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton.