Rat Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Receptor (GnRHR) Protein

Background

GNRHR is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) expressed primarily in the anterior pituitary gland, where it binds gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Upon activation, GNRHR stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which regulate gonadal function, steroidogenesis, and gametogenesis. GNRHR signaling occurs through Gq/11 proteins, activating phospholipase C (PLC), increasing intracellular calcium, and stimulating protein kinase C (PKC). It plays a central role in reproductive physiology, controlling the menstrual cycle in females and testosterone production in males. Mutations in GNRHR are linked to disorders such as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, characterized by delayed puberty and infertility. GNRHR is also expressed in extra-pituitary tissues and certain cancers, such as breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers, where it regulates cell proliferation and survival. Therapeutically, GnRH agonists and antagonists are used to treat hormone-dependent conditions, including infertility, endometriosis, and cancers. GNRHR remains a critical target in reproductive medicine and oncology.