Identification and Structural Characterization of the Neuronal Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Associated with Sensory Systems

The luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) is a G protein-coupled receptor involved in regulation of ovarian and testicular functions. Here we show that the receptor is present also in specific areas of the peripheral and central nervous system and may thus have a broader functional role than has been a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The Journal of biological chemistry Vol. 279; no. 3; pp. 1899 - 1906
Main Authors:	Apaja, Pirjo M., Harju, Kirsi T., Aatsinki, Jyrki T., Petäjä-Repo, Ulla E., Rajaniemi, Hannu J.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States Elsevier Inc 16-01-2004 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Subjects:	Animals Brain - metabolism chorionic gonadotropin Chorionic Gonadotropin - metabolism Female Fetus - metabolism Neurons - chemistry Promoter Regions, Genetic Rats Rats, Sprague-Dawley Receptors, LH - analysis Receptors, LH - chemistry Receptors, LH - genetics RNA, Messenger - analysis Transgenes
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Summary:	The luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) is a G protein-coupled receptor involved in regulation of ovarian and testicular functions. Here we show that the receptor is present also in specific areas of the peripheral and central nervous system and may thus have a broader functional role than has been anticipated. Full-length LHR mRNA and two receptor protein species of Mr 90,000 and 73,000, representing mature and precursor forms, respectively, were expressed in adult and developing rat nervous tissue, starting at fetal day 14.5. The receptor was capable of ligand binding because it was purified by ligand affinity chromatography, and human chorionic gonadotropin and LH were able to displace 125I-labeled human chorionic gonadotropin binding to fetal head membranes in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, two 5′-flanking sequences (∼ 2 and 4 kb) of the rat LHR gene were shown to direct expression of the lacZ reporter to specific areas of the peripheral and central nervous system in fetal and adult transgenic mice, especially to structures associated with sensory, memory, reproductive behavior, and autonomic functions. Importantly, the transgene activity was confined to neurons and colocalized with the cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage enzyme. Taken together, these results indicate that the neuronal LHR is a functional protein, implicating a role in neuronal development and function, possibly by means of regulating synthesis of neurosteroids.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-1 ObjectType-Feature-2
ISSN:	0021-9258 1083-351X
DOI:	10.1074/jbc.M311395200