[Function and biological activities of the autotaxin-LPA axis].

Autotaxin (ATX), a member of nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (NPP) family, is also named as phosphodiesterase Iα (PD-Iα) or NPP2. ATX is the unique member among the NPPs that can function as a lysophospholipase D (lysoPLD), converting lysophosphatidylcholine into lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). LPA acts on specific G-protein-coupled receptors to elicit a wide range of cellular response, including cell proliferation, cell migration and cell contraction, etc. As the major LPA-producing phospholipase, many ATX's features and functions are dependent on the production of LPA. ATX and LPA together form the ATX-LPA functional axis. The present review summarizes the current progress in function and biological activities of ATX-LPA axis.