Vitamin B3: Niacin and transcriptome analysis in relation to the GPR109A receptor

GPR109A is a receptor for niacin or nicotinic acid, which has been utilized as an antidyslipidemic drug for several decades without its mechanism being fully understood. Following the identification of GPR109A, it was determined that the receptor was expressed not only in adipocytes but also in spleen, immune cells, colon, retinal pigment epithelial cells, and breast tissue as well. GPR109A activation has been shown to have more than just an effect on lipids, also promoting tissue-specific regulation of metabolism and inflammation. The antiinflammatory role of GPR109A has been demonstrated in many different tissue types, potentially improving disease states from Parkinson’s disease to diabetic retinopathy. In particular, its impact on colon and breast cancer suggests that GPR109A functions as a tumor suppressor. Therefore GPR109A may prove to be a potential target for future cancer prevention strategies.