Multiple facets of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor function.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland. This gonadotropin plays an essential role in reproduction. Its receptor (FSHR) belongs to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), specifically the family of rhodopsin-like receptors. Agonist binding to the FSHR triggers the rapid activation of multiple signaling cascades, mainly the cAMP-adenylyl cyclase-protein kinase A cascade, that impact diverse biological effects of FSH in the gonads. As in other G protein-coupled receptors, the several cytoplasmic domains of the FSHR are involved in signal transduction and termination of the FSH signal. Here we summarize some recent information on the signaling cascades activated by FSH as well as on the role of the intracytoplasmic domains of the FSHR in coupling to membrane and cytosolic proteins linked to key biological functions regulated by the FSH-FSHR system.
Ulloa-Aguirre
Alfredo
A
Research Unit in Reproductive Medicine, Hospital de Ginecobstetricia "Luis Castelazo Ayala", Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Apartado Postal 99-065, Unidad Independencia, C.P. 10101 Mexico, D.F., Mexico. aulloaa@servidor.unam.mx
Zariñán
Teresa
T
Pasapera
Ana Ma
AM
Casas-González
Patricia
P
Dias
James A
JA
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000502:physiology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D011962:Receptors, FSH; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone