Human G-Protein Coupled Receptor 151 (GPR151) Protein

Background

GPR151 is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly expressed in the central nervous system, particularly in regions such as the habenula, a brain area involved in regulating mood, reward, and aversion responses. GPR151 is thought to play a role in modulating neuronal signaling pathways associated with addiction, anxiety, and depression. Its expression is tightly regulated by neuronal activity, suggesting it may function in fine-tuning synaptic signaling and maintaining neural circuit stability. Emerging evidence indicates that GPR151 is involved in behaviors linked to motivation, pain regulation, and responses to negative stimuli, particularly through its role in habenular circuits. Dysregulation of GPR151 expression has been associated with psychiatric disorders, including depression and substance abuse, where impaired habenular function disrupts mood and reward processing. Although its endogenous ligand remains unknown, GPR151 is considered a promising target for understanding mood disorders, addiction, and motivational behavior, highlighting its potential for therapeutic interventions in neuropsychiatric diseases.