GPR91 Goes Local

GPR91 is a key player in autoimmune disease, transplant rejection and diabetic retinopathy, according to new findings emerging from both pharmaceutical and academic laboratories. Taken together, the research suggests targeting the G protein-coupled receptor may help prevent local inflammatory and angiogenic effects caused by succinate released by damaged tissue.

Succinate is a short-lived intermediate of the Krebs cycle, an energy-generating process that occurs inside mitochondria. The new papers suggest that succinate receptor 1 (GPR91) is a first responder to succinate released by damaged mitochondria and dying cells, triggering inflammation and vascular proliferation (see "Sensing succinate")...