This is a receptor for nicotinic acid. Acts as a low affinity receptor for nicotinic acid and mediate its anti-lipolytic effect through a G(i)-protein-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. This pharmacological effect requires nicotinic acid doses that are much higher than those provided by a normal diet. Expression in humans is largely restricted to adipose tissue and spleen but there are some reports of it being expressed in lymphocytes and monocytes. In mouse is expressed in lungs, spleen, heart, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. In rat it is expressed in adipose tissue, lung and spleen. ESTs have been isolated from adipose, blood, liver, liver/spleen, placenta, prostate, and testis libraries.