The human genome analysis revealed more than 100 "orphan" G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) whose natural ligands remain elusive. Lipids are biologically important metabolites, and a part of lipids are likely to exert their biological effects via the orphan GPCRs. Thus, the aim of this project is to identify natural lipid ligands for orphan GPCRs. The de-orphanization will contribute to our understanding of novel biological lipid functions and novel relationships between lipids and diseases. Furthermore, this knowledge may pave the way for the development of new drugs for the lipid-related disease.
