retinoic acid-inducible orphan G-protein-coupled receptors; class C family of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors, group 5
Retinoic acid-inducible G-protein-coupled receptors (RAIGs), also referred to as GPCR class C group 5, are a group consisting of four orphan receptors RAIG1 (GPRC5A), RAIG2 (GPRC5B), RAIG3 (GPRC5C), and RAIG4 (GPRC5D). Unlike other members of the class C GPCRs which contain a large N-terminal extracellular domain, RAIGs have a shorter N-terminus. Thus, it is unlikely that RAIGs bind an agonist at its N-terminus domain. Instead, agonists may bind to the seven-transmembrane domain of these receptors. In addition, RAIG2 and RAIG3 contain a cleavable signal peptide whereas RAIG1 and RAIG4 do not. Although their expression is induced by retinoic acid (vitamin A analog), their biological function is not clearly understood. To date, no ligand is known for the members of RAIG family. Three receptor types (RAIG1-3) are found in vertebrates, while RAIG4 is only present in mammals. They show distinct tissue distribution with RAIG1 being primarily expressed in the lung, RAIG2 in the brain and placenta, RAIG3 in the brain, kidney and liver, and RAIG4 in the skin. RAIG1 is evolutionarily conserved from mammals to fish. RAIG1 has been to shown to act as a tumor suppressor in non-small cell lung carcinoma as well as oral squamous cell carcinoma, but it could also act as an oncogene in breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Studies have shown that overexpression of RAIG1 decreases intracellular cAMP levels. Moreover, knocking out RAIG1 induces the activation of the NF-kB and STAT3 signaling pathways leading to cell proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. RAIG2 (GPRC5B), a mammalian Boss (Bride of sevenless) homolog, activates obesity-associated inflammatory signaling in adipocytes, and GPRC5B knockout mice show resistance to high-fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. The specific functions of RAIG3 and RAIG4 are unknown; however, they may play roles in mediating the effects of retinoic acid on embryogenesis, differentiation, and tumorigenesis through interactions with G-protein signaling pathways.
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