G2A as a receptor for oxidized free fatty acids.

G2A was identified as a G protein-coupled receptor that can be induced by different classes of DNA-damaging agents and block cell cycle progression in lymphocytes. We recently reported that G2A functions as a receptor for oxidized free fatty acids derived from linoleic and arachidonic acids. When ectopically expressed in CHO cells, G2A mediates intracellular signaling events such as intracellular calcium mobilization and JNK activation in response to oxidized free fatty acids. In human epidermal keratinocytes, G2A mediates the secretion of cytokines including interleukin-6 and -8, and blocks cell cycle progression at the G1 phase in response to ligands. G2A might function as a sensor that monitors the oxidative states and mediates appropriate cellular responses such as secretion of paracrine signals and attenuation of proliferation.