Distribution and regulation of protein expression of the free fatty acid receptor GPR120

GPR120 is a G-protein-coupled receptor whose endogenous ligands have recently been identified as free fatty acids. It has been implicated as playing an important role in the control of lipid and glucose metabolism by regulating the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 and cholecystokinin. We have developed an antibody against the extracellular domain of GPR120. The specificity of the antibody was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and immunocytochemistry using GPR120-transfected cells. Immunoreactivity for GPR120 was abundant in the mouse large intestine, lung, and adipose tissue. Furthermore, we found that the expression of GPR120 protein was up-regulated during the adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, which corresponded well with changes in mRNA expression. The anti-GPR120 antibody will be of value for the further study of the function of this nutrient-sensing receptor.