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Proteinase‐activated receptor pharmacology: trickier and trickier
Author(s) -
Moffatt James D
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1038/sj.bjp.0705949
Subject(s) - receptor , peptide , protease activated receptor , molecular pharmacology , biology , pharmacology , biochemistry , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , thrombin , platelet
Proteinase‐activated receptors (PARs) are G‐protein‐coupled receptors for serine and other proteinases. Peptide agonists of these receptors are frequently used to characterise the presence and role of PARs in cells and organ systems. However, the specificity of these peptides is questionable in some assay systems. In this issue, Hollenberg et al . report very different effects of PAR 4 receptors in various assays. Their results suggest the existence of unknown receptors and further highlight the need to use peptide PAR agonists with due caution. British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143 , 441. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0705949