FFAR3 (Free Fatty Acid Receptor 3)
A G-protein coupled receptor for short-chain fatty acids, involved in metabolic and inflammatory signaling.
Gene Information Card
| Symbol | FFAR3 |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Free Fatty Acid Receptor 3 |
| Gene Type | protein-coding |
| Chromosomal Location | 19q13.12 |
| NCBI Gene ID | 2865 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/2865 |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000185897 |
| UniProt ID | O14843 |
| OMIM ID | 603822 |
| HGNC ID | 4498 |
| Aliases | GPR41, FFA3R, GPR40-related receptor |
Description
FFAR3 (free fatty acid receptor 3) encodes a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that is activated by short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate. The receptor is primarily expressed in adipose tissue, immune cells, and the gastrointestinal tract, where it mediates metabolic and inflammatory responses. FFAR3 signaling influences energy homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and gut-brain communication.
Disease Associations
| Disease category | Pathophysiological mechanism | Genomic evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity | FFAR3 activation by SCFAs modulates adipokine secretion and energy expenditure; polymorphisms associated with altered metabolic risk. | NCBI Gene, OMIM |
| Type 2 Diabetes | SCFA-FFAR3 signaling affects insulin secretion and sensitivity; variants linked to glucose homeostasis. | NCBI Gene, ClinVar |
| Inflammatory Bowel Disease | FFAR3 expressed in colonic epithelium and immune cells; SCFA signaling regulates inflammation and barrier function. | NCBI Gene, OMIM |
Expression Profile
Tissue Expression
| Tissue | nTPM | level |
|---|---|---|
| Adipose tissue | 12.5 | Medium |
| Colon | 8.3 | Low |
| Small intestine | 6.1 | Low |
| Spleen | 4.7 | Low |
| Whole blood | 2.1 | Not detected |
Cell Line Expression
| Cell Line | nTPM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HEK293 | 0.5 | Low expression; used for heterologous expression studies |
| THP-1 | 3.2 | Monocytic cell line; SCFA-induced signaling |
| Caco-2 | 1.8 | Colorectal adenocarcinoma; endogenous expression |
Data source：Human Protein Atlas（proteinatlas.org）
Mutations & Variants
Hotspot Mutations
| Variant | Type | Frequency | Functional Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| c.265G>A (p.Gly89Arg) | Missense | <0.01% | Reduced receptor activation by propionate; ClinVar |
| c.514C>T (p.Arg172Trp) | Missense | <0.01% | Altered ligand binding; ClinVar |
| c.832G>A (p.Gly278Arg) | Missense | <0.01% | Unknown functional effect; COSMIC |
Mutation functional classification
Loss of Function (LOF)
p.Gly89Arg reduces SCFA-induced signaling.
Gain of Function (GOF)
No confirmed gain-of-function mutations reported.
Dominant Negative (DN)
No evidence for dominant-negative effects.
View complete mutation data：
Gene Ontology (GO)
| • G protein-coupled receptor activity | • short-chain fatty acid receptor activity |
| • positive regulation of cytokine production | • negative regulation of insulin secretion |
| • inflammatory response |
Pathways
• GPCR downstream signaling
• SCFA-induced metabolic regulation
• Innate immune system
Protein Summary
FFAR3 (GPR41) is a 346-amino acid GPCR with seven transmembrane domains. It couples primarily to Gi/o proteins, leading to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and modulation of MAPK pathways. The receptor is activated by SCFAs (C2-C5) and plays a role in energy balance, inflammation, and gut homeostasis. Structural studies indicate a conserved ligand-binding pocket distinct from other SCFA receptors.
Related Services
Related Products
| Product name | Cat.No. | Species | Gene ID | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FFAR3 Knockout HEK293 Cell Line | EDJ-KQ50313 | Human | 2865 | Details Get a Quote |
| FFAR3 Knockout HeLa Cell Line | EDJ-KQ53412 | Human | 2865 | Details Get a Quote |
| FFAR3 Knockout A-549 Cell Line | EDJ-KQ61889 | Human | 2865 | Details Get a Quote |
| FFAR3 Knockout HCT 116 Cell Line | EDJ-KQ70368 | Human | 2865 | Details Get a Quote |
