This gene encodes a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. This enzyme functions as a cell surface receptor for bile acids. Treatment of cells expressing this GPCR with bile acids induces the production of intracellular cAMP, activation of a MAP kinase signaling pathway, and internalization of the receptor. The receptor is implicated in the suppression of macrophage functions and regulation of energy homeostasis by bile acids. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding the same protein. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008],function:Receptor for bile acid. Bile acid-binding induces its internalization, activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and intracellular cAMP production. May be involved in the suppression of macrophage functions by bile acids.,similarity:Belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor 1 family.,tissue specificity:Ubiquitously expressed. Expressed at higher level in spleen and placenta. Expressed at lower level in other tissues. In digestive tissues, it is expressed in stomach, duodenum, ileocecum, ileum, jejunum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, cecum and liver, but not in esophagus and rectum.,