GnRH receptor

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor
Identifiers
Symbol	GNRHR
Alt. symbols	GnRH-R; LRHR;
Entrez	2798
HUGO	4421
OMIM	138850
RefSeq	NM_000406
UniProt	P30968
Other data
Locus	Chr. 4 q21.2

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (type 2) receptor 2
Identifiers
Symbol	GNRHR2
Entrez	114814
HUGO	16341
RefSeq	NR_002328
UniProt	Q96P88
Other data
Locus	Chr. 1 q12

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GNRHR), also known as the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone receptor (LHRHR), is a member of the seven-transmembrane, G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family. It is expressed on the surface of pituitary gonadotrope cells as well as lymphocytes, breast, ovary, and prostate.

This receptor is a 60 kDa G protein-coupled receptor and resides primarily in the pituitary and is responsible for eliciting the actions of LHRH after its release from the hypothalamus. Upon activation, the LHRHr stimulates tyrosine phosphatase and elicits the release of LH from the pituitary.

Evidence exists showing the presence of LHRH and its receptor in extrapituitary tissues as well as a role in progression of some cancers.

Following binding of Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GNRH), GNRHR associates with G-proteins that activate a phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns)-calcium second messenger system. Activation of GNRHR ultimately causes the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

There are two major forms of the GNRHR, each encoded by a separate gene (GNRHR and GNRHR2).