title: Embryo implantation and GnRH antagonists: the search for the human placental GnRH receptor.
abstract: Hypothalamic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) plays a major role in the endocrine control of reproduction. Acting through its high affinity receptors on pituitary gonadotrophs, it regulates the secretion of gonadotrophins. In addition, GnRH also functions as a local regulator in a number of other cell lines and tissues, including the placenta. In a manner analogous to hypothalamic GnRH stimulation of LH and FSH from the anterior pituitary, GnRH was found to cause a dose-dependent release of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) from the placenta. So began the search for a putative GnRH receptor in the human placenta. Although early radio-receptor studies reported specific binding, the properties of these 'putative' GnRH binding sites were found to differ significantly from those of their pituitary counterparts in several important respects. This was followed by a series of contradictory reports that led to more questions and opened up avenues for further investigations. Even after nearly two decades of research, the human placental GnRH receptor has not been characterized beyond all reasonable doubt. This review recalls the discovery, the controversies and unanswered questions concerning the human placental GnRH receptor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rama
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000502:physiology; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology; D010920:Placenta / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D009842:Oligopeptides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone