Advances on Mrgprs itch receptors and their ligands

Abstract

Although histamine is an important physiologically active substance in pruritus,antihistamine drugs can only relieve a small proportion of symptoms in chronic pruritus. A wealth of pharmacological, clinical, electrophysiological and molecular databases supports the existence of the histamine-independent pruritus. Here, we review the progress of research on Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors (Mrgprs), related ligands, and their interactions. Mrgprs are mainly expressed in small-diameter dorsal root ganglion nerve cells and are involved in the pruritic process, and their family members are associated with the production of itch and nociception. All these findings point to a new direction for the treatment of pruritus.

Keywords

• mrgprs
• itch receptors
• g protein-coupled receptors
• mas-related g protein-coupled receptors
• ligands