Platelet function and Isoprostane biology. Should Isoprostanes be the newest member of the Orphan-ligand family?

While there have been many reports investigating the biological activity and signaling mechanisms of isoprostanes,their role in biology,particularly in platelets,appears to still be underestimated. moreover,whether these lipids have their own receptors is still debated,despite multiple reports that discrete receptors for isporpstanes do exist on platelets,vascular tissues,amongst others. this paper provides a review of the important literature of isoprostanes and provides reasoning that isoprostanes should be classified as orphan ligands until their receptor(s) is/are identified. © 2010 ting and khasawneh; licensee biomed central ltd.