Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a natural bioactive lipid that acts through six different G protein-coupled receptors (LPA1-6) with pleiotropic activities on multiple cell types. LPA is known for a plethora of actions in the normal function of our organism as well as in the pathogenesis of many diseases[1]. It participates in the biosynthesis, catabolism and transport of phospholipids in the organism, and in the continuous turnover of membranous organelles, such as the plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticula or Golgi apparatus. Interestingly, LPA also plays another very important role as a mediator in cell communication in autocrine, paracrine and endocrine ways.
LPA actions are mediated mainly through a family of GPCRs (LPA1-7), but it is also known to modulate transcription through nuclear receptors, such as the ligand-activated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ)[2]. The LPA1 receptor has been detected, in the brain, heart, intestine, ovaries, testis, prostate, thymus and pancreas, among others, and mediates in a wide variety of cellular responses including cell proliferation, survival, cell shape changes and cytoskeletal rearrangements, migration, rearrangements in cell-cell contacts, among many others.

Lysophospholipid receptor subtypes listed: LPA1, S1PR1, S1PR2, S1PR3