Nuclear prostaglandin receptors

Prostaglandins and thromboxane are ubiquitous compounds and play important roles in cardiovascular homeostasis, inflammation, reproduction, respiration, mitogenesis and gene transcription and so on. These actions of prostanoids are presumed to be mediated by plasma membrane receptors belonging to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. However, several lines of evidence suggest prostanoids may also act at the nuclear level. Nuclei contain cyclooxygenases and other intermediates required for prostanoid synthesis and receptor-mediated responses. This review focuses closely on various signal transduction cascades that exist in the nuclear membranes, including the presence of other nuclear G protein-coupled receptor, and discusses the discovery of functional nuclear prostaglandin E2 receptor. These data add new dimensions to the functions and signaling mediated by prostaglandin receptors.