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Emerging Roles of G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Wen-Ting Peng1,2,3, Wu-Yi Sun4,5,6, Xin-Ran Li7,8,9

  • 1Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China. Wendy765138970@126.com.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|May 9, 2018
PubMed

Insights

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are crucial in liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC) development and metastasis. This review explores GPCR functions and potential GPCR-based therapies for HCC.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest cell surface receptor superfamily, regulate diverse signaling pathways.
  • GPCRs play critical roles in both physiological processes and pathological conditions, including cancer.
  • Emerging evidence highlights the involvement of GPCRs in tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of specific GPCRs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression.
  • To elucidate the involvement of GPCRs in hepatoma cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis.
  • To highlight potential therapeutic strategies targeting GPCRs for HCC treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating GPCR function in hepatocellular carcinoma.
  • Analysis of GPCR signaling pathways implicated in cancer cell behavior.
  • Summary of research on specific GPCRs (chemokine, prostaglandin, lysophosphatidic acid, endothelin, catecholamine, angiotensin) in HCC.

Main Results:

  • Specific GPCRs significantly influence hepatoma cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis.
  • GPCRs are implicated in the angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
  • Dysregulation of GPCR signaling contributes to HCC development and progression.

Conclusions:

  • GPCRs represent key regulators in the development and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
  • Targeting specific GPCRs offers promising therapeutic avenues for HCC treatment.
  • Further research into GPCR-mediated pathways is essential for advancing HCC therapy.
Keywords:
G protein coupled receptoradrenergic receptorchemokineshepatocellular carcinomalysophosphatidic acidsignal transduction

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