Endothelin-1 mediates the systemic and renal hemodynamic effects of GPR81 activation', Hypertension. G PR81 (G-protein-coupled receptor 81), GPR109a, and GPR109b form the hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor subfamily. 1 Encoded by the HCAR1 gene, GPR81 is predominantly expressed in brown and white adipose tissue. 2 L-lactate is the endogenous ligand with an EC 50 of ≈5 mmol/L. 3 Lactate, formed from pyruvate during anaerobic glycolysis, has a physiological plasma concentration of 0.5 to 2 mmol/L, rising from 10 to 30 mmol/L during intense exercise or prolonged hypoxia. 4,5 This suggests that GPR81 is either physiologically quiescent basally or that it is primarily responsive to the local, rather than circulating, concentration of lactate. In adipocytes, activation of GPR81 by L-lactate prevents lipid breakdown and promotes storage of energy-rich metabolites in adipocytes. 2,6 Synthetic GPR81 agonists 7-9 are potential therapies for dyslipidemia and inhibit lipolysis in cultured adipocytes and in vivo.