Biological characteristics and agonists of GPR120 (FFAR4) receptor: the present status of research

GPR120 receptor functions as a receptor for -3 fatty acid, involving regulating the secretion of gastrointestinal peptide hormone, adipogenesis, adipogenic differentiation and anti-inflammatory process and the like in the aspect of biological functions. In view that the dysfunction of GPR120 receptor is closely correlated with metabolic disorders, GPR120 may act as a novel potential therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and so on. Therefore, mounting scientists devote themselves to probing the molecular mechanism of the biological function of GPR120 receptor and their ligands for the treatment of impaired metabolic health. Herein, we summarize the mechanisms of signal transduction through GPR120 receptor, and discovery and development of GPR120 agonists thereof.