Lysophospholipid Mediators: Their Receptors and Synthetic Pathways

It is now widely accepted that lysophospholipids (LPLs), a product of the phospholipase A reaction, function as mediators through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Notably, recent studies of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) have revealed their essential roles in vivo. In addition, recent studies have identified several GPCRs for other lysophospholipids such as lysophosphatidylserine (LysoPS) and lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI). In this chapter, we summarize the actions and production of these LPLs as lipid mediators including LysoPS and LPI.