Taprostene is a stable prostacyclin (PGI2) analog and agonist of the prostacyclin receptor, IP. It does not activate the PGE2 receptor EP4, which, like IP, promotes vascular smooth muscle relaxation when stimulated. Taprostene has been used extensively to study the role of the IP receptor in tissue preparations and in vivo. It has also been used in the screening and evaluation of potential IP antagonists.
