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Updated: May 11, 2026

Characterization of G Protein-coupled Receptors by a Fluorescence-based Calcium Mobilization Assay
Published on: July 28, 2014
The fatty acid receptor FFA1/GPR40 a decade later: how much do we know?
Arturo D Mancini1, Vincent Poitout
1Montreal Diabetes Research Center, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Abstract:
Glucose homeostasis requires the highly coordinated regulation of insulin secretion by pancreatic β cells. This is primarily mediated by glucose itself, but other nutrients, including free fatty acids (FFAs), potentiate the insulinotropic capacity of glucose. A decade ago, the seven-transmembrane domain receptor (7TMR) GPR40 was demonstrated to be predominantly expressed in β cells and activated by long-chain FFAs. This discovery added a new dimension to our understanding of FFA-mediated control of glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, GPR40 has drawn considerable interest as a novel therapeutic target to enhance insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes. However, our understanding of the biology of GPR40 remains incomplete and its physiological role controversial. Here we summarize the current state of knowledge and emerging concepts regarding the role of GPR40 in regulating glucose homeostasis.
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