The protein encoded by this gene is structurally similar to G protein-coupled receptors and is highly expressed in endothelial cells. It binds the ligand sphingosine-1-phosphate with high affinity and high specificity, and suggested to be involved in the processes that regulate the differentiation of endothelial cells. Activation of this receptor induces cell-cell adhesion. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2016],function:Receptor for the lysosphingolipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). S1P is a bioactive lysophospholipid that elicits diverse physiological effect on most types of cells and tissues. This inducible epithelial cell G-protein-coupled receptor may be involved in the processes that regulate the differentiation of endothelial cells. Seems to be coupled to the G(i) subclass of heteromeric G proteins.,induction:By the tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PME) in the presence of cycloheximide.,PTM:S1P-induced endothelial cell migration requires the PKB/AKT1-mediated phosphorylation of the third intracellular loop at the Thr-236 residue.,similarity:Belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor 1 family.,tissue specificity:Endothelial cells, and to a lesser extent, in vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, melanocytes, and cells of epithelioid origin.,
