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Zhao Y, Wu J, Wang X, Jia H, Chen DN, Li JD. Prokineticins and their G protein-coupled receptors in health and disease. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 161:149-179. [PMID: 30711026 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prokineticins are two conserved small proteins (~8kDa), prokineticin 1 (PROK1; also called EG-VEGF) and prokineticin 2 (PROK2; also called Bv8), with an N-terminal AVITGA sequence and 10 cysteines forming 5 disulfide bridges. PROK1 and PROK2 bind to two highly related G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), prokineticin receptor 1 (PROKR1) and prokineticin receptor 2 (PROKR2). Prokineticins and their receptors are widely expressed. PROK1 is predominantly expressed in peripheral tissues, especially steroidogenic organs, whereas PROK2 is mainly expressed in the central nervous system and nonsteroidogenic cells of the testes. Prokineticins signaling has been implicated in several important physiological functions, including gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction, circadian rhythm regulation, neurogenesis, angiogenesis, pain perception, mood regulation, and reproduction. Dysregulation of prokineticins signaling has been observed in a variety of diseases, such as cancer, ischemia, and neurodegeneration, in which prokineticins signaling seems to be a promising therapeutic target. Based on the phenotypes of knockout mice, PROKR2 and PROK2 have recently been identified as causative genes for idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, a developmental disorder characterized by impaired development of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons and infertility. In vitro functional studies with these disease-associated PROKR2 mutations uncovered some novel features for this receptor, such as biased signaling, which may be used to understand GPCR signaling regulation in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaguang Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiayu Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinying Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hong Jia
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Dan-Na Chen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China.
| | - Jia-Da Li
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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