G protein-coupled receptor 35 also known as GPR35 is a G protein-coupled receptor

G protein-coupled receptor

G protein-coupled receptors , also known as seven-transmembrane domain receptors, 7TM receptors, heptahelical receptors, serpentine receptor, and G protein-linked receptors , comprise a large protein family of transmembrane receptors that sense molecules outside the cell and activate inside signal...

 which in humans is encoded by the GPR35 gene

Gene

A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...

 Heightened expression of GPR35 is found in immune and gastrointestinal tissues, including the crypts of Lieberkühn

Crypts of Lieberkühn

In histology, an intestinal crypt is a gland found in the epithelial lining of the small intestine and colon...

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Ligands

One study has shown that kynurenic acid

Kynurenic acid

Kynurenic acid is a product of the normal metabolism of amino acid L-tryptophan. It has been shown that kynurenic acid possesses neuroactive activity. It acts as an antiexcitotoxic and anticonvulsant, most likely through acting as an antagonist at excitatory amino acid receptors...

 acts as an endogenous ligand for this receptor. Zaprinast

Zaprinast

Zaprinast was an unsuccessful clinical drug candidate that was a precursor to the chemically-related PDE5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil , which successfully reached the market. It is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, selective for the subtypes PDE5, PDE6, PDE9 and PDE11. IC50 values are 0.76, 0.15,...

, a PDE5A

CGMP specific phosphodiesterase type 5

cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 is an enzyme from the phosphodiesterase class. It is found in various tissues, most prominently the corpus cavernosum and the retina....

 inhibitor, was found to be an agonist for GPR35.

Clinical significance

Deletion of GPR35 gene may be responsible for brachydactyly mental retardation syndrome and is mutated in 2q37 monosomy

2q37 monosomy

2q37 monosomy is a rare genetic disorder caused by a deletion of a segment at the end of chromosome 2.-Clinical description:Almost all patients with this syndrome have some degree of mental retardation and facial dysmorphism . Behavioural problems are common...

 and 2q37 deletion syndrome

2q37 deletion syndrome

2q37 deletion syndrome is a disorder caused by the deletion of a small piece of chromosome 2.It has been associated with Wilms' tumor and brachydactyly.-External links:*...

. In one study GPR35 has been recognised as a potential oncogene

Oncogene

An oncogene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer. In tumor cells, they are often mutated or expressed at high levels.An oncogene is a gene found in the chromosomes of tumor cells whose activation is associated with the initial and continuing conversion of normal cells into cancer...

 in the stomach cancer

Stomach cancer

Gastric cancer, commonly referred to as stomach cancer, can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus, lungs, lymph nodes, and the liver...

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