G Protein-Coupled Receptors and Diseases

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 1483

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Oral Biology at the University of Manitoba, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Interests: cancer; autophagy; cell death; cell proliferation; cell signaling; reactive oxygen species; mitochondria; apoptosis; ferroptosis; necroptosis; oral biology; microbiota; clinical trial; pulmonary hypertension; G protein-coupled receptor
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell membrane receptor proteins in eukaryotic cells. These proteins sense stimuli from the environment and transmit the signals from outside the cell to the inside. GPCRs play diverse roles in cellular physiology and functions, such as cell survival, cell proliferation, the interactions between humans and the microbiome, and taste sensing. They are associated with many diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, oral diseases, lung diseases, aging, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegeneration. Thus, they are attracting significant attention in the drug development field.

Extensive ongoing studies are exploring GPCRs’ roles in the mechanisms and treatment of diseases.

This Special Issue will showcase original research and review articles on GPCR-associated disease studies. Examples of possible research topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Mechanistic studies on GPCR-mediated signaling pathways that regulate disease etiology and treatment in cellular and animal models;
  2. Cell or molecular biology studies on GPCR-targeting drugs;
  3. Associations of taste receptors with diseases;
  4. Bioinformatic analyses of GPCR-regulated disease development and treatment (including cytological experiments).

Dr. Yongqiang Chen
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • G protein-coupled receptor
  • taste receptor
  • microbiome
  • cancer
  • aging
  • neurodegenerative disease
  • cardiovascular disease
  • pulmonary hypertension
  • cell survival
  • cell death
  • apoptosis
  • autophagy
  • necroptosis
  • ferroptosis
  • proliferation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1969 KB  
Article
Effect of the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor T2R14 on Proliferation and Cell Population Growth in Oral Cancer Cells
by Yongqiang Chen, Manikanta Kella, Kayla Austin, Rajinder P. Bhullar and Prashen Chelikani
Cells 2026, 15(3), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15030279 - 1 Feb 2026
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Abstract
Oral cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths and significantly affects the quality of life of patients. However, many of its mechanisms remain unclear, and its treatment needs improvement. The G-protein-coupled receptor taste receptor type 2 member 14 (T2R14 or TAS2R14) is [...] Read more.
Oral cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths and significantly affects the quality of life of patients. However, many of its mechanisms remain unclear, and its treatment needs improvement. The G-protein-coupled receptor taste receptor type 2 member 14 (T2R14 or TAS2R14) is expressed in various cancer types. However, few studies have investigated its roles in oral cancer, and its effects on oral cancer cell proliferation and growth are unknown. This study aimed to examine T2R14’s impact on proliferation and cell population growth (CPG) of oral cancer cells. TAS2R14 gene knockout was performed, and cell numbers, cell viability, and colony formation were measured. This study showed that TAS2R14 knockout in oral cancer cells significantly decreased calcium mobilization, increased cell numbers, colony formation, the proliferation marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and the phosphorylation of mechanistic target of rapamycin, but did not affect cell viability. These observations are consistent with the clinical data that higher TAS2R14 mRNA expression is associated with better survival of patients with oral cancer. Therefore, T2R14 downregulation increased oral cancer CPG, suggesting a tumor-suppressor-like role. The study’s findings could improve our understanding of T2R14 mechanisms and help develop strategies to advance oral cancer treatment by targeting T2R14. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue G Protein-Coupled Receptors and Diseases)
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Review

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19 pages, 3253 KB  
Review
S1PR2 Signaling in the Lung: Understanding Its Role in Health and Disease
by Alison W. Ha, Joe G. N. Garcia and Steven M. Dudek
Cells 2026, 15(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15010010 - 20 Dec 2025
Viewed by 611
Abstract
Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors (S1PRs) are a family of G protein-coupled transmembrane proteins that play essential roles across nearly all organ systems, including the regulation of pulmonary physiology and immune responses. Expressed across diverse lung cell types, S1PRs mediate critical biological processes such as vascular [...] Read more.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors (S1PRs) are a family of G protein-coupled transmembrane proteins that play essential roles across nearly all organ systems, including the regulation of pulmonary physiology and immune responses. Expressed across diverse lung cell types, S1PRs mediate critical biological processes such as vascular barrier integrity, immune cell trafficking, and inflammation. While the signaling pathways and physiological functions of S1PR1 and S1PR3 have been extensively characterized, the role of S1PR2 remains less clearly defined and context-dependent. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on S1PR2 signaling within major pulmonary cell populations and explore its contribution to lung homeostasis and disease. By synthesizing evidence from molecular, cellular and in vivo studies, this review aims to summarize the current understanding of S1PR2 signaling across major pulmonary cell populations and its roles in lung homeostasis and disease. The findings of this study could help develop new strategies for treating pulmonary disorders and other diseases by targeting S1PR2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue G Protein-Coupled Receptors and Diseases)
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