Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), acting through the GHRH receptor, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of GH synthesis and secretion in the pituitary. Gaylinn et al. (1993) cloned a cDNA encoding the human GHRH receptor from an acromegalic pituitary cDNA library. The isolated cDNA predicted a 423-amino acid protein that has 7 transmembrane domains characteristic of G protein-coupled receptors. It is a member of the secretin family of G protein-coupled receptors and has significant homology with receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide, secretin, calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone.
NCBI Summary:
Growth hormone releasing hormone receptor; may act through increasing intracellular cAMP levels; member of the G protein-coupled receptor family
General function
Receptor
Comment
Cellular localization
Plasma membrane
Comment
Ovarian function
Ovulation, Steroid metabolism
Comment
The hypothalamic neuropeptide, GHRH, is formed in the ovary and acts via specific receptors in granulosa
cells to enhance cAMP production and steroidogenic responses to the pituitary gonadotropins. Karakji et al. (1995) demonstrated that GHRH treatment stimulates rat granulosa cell plasminogen activator activity in vitro.
Species: human
Mutation name: None
type: naturally occurring fertility: subfertile Comment:Wajnrajch et al. (1996) demonstrated a nonsense mutation in the human GHRHR gene. The phenotype in this Indian Moslem kindred was comparable to that in the 'little' mouse.
Species: mouse
Mutation name: Little
type: naturally occurring fertility: subfertile Comment:Lin et al. (1993) demonstrated that the molecular basis for the 'little' (lit) mouse phenotype, characterized by a hypoplastic anterior pituitary gland, is a point mutation in the growth hormone releasing factor receptor.