title: The hinge region: an important receptor component for GPHR function.
abstract: Glycoprotein hormone receptors (GPHRs) are members of the seven-transmembrane-spanning receptor family characterized by a large ectodomain. The hinge region belongs to a part of the GPHR ectodomain for which the three-dimensional structure has not yet been deciphered, leaving important questions unanswered concerning ligand binding and GPHR activation. Recent publications indicate that specific residues of the hinge region mediate hormone binding, receptor activation and/or intramolecular signaling for the three GPHRs, emphasizing the importance of this region. Based on these findings, the hinge region is involved at least in part in hormone binding and receptor activation. This review summarizes functional data regarding the hinge region, demonstrating that this receptor portion represents a link between ligand binding and subsequent GPHR activation.
authors.affiliation: Third Medical Department, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jaeschke
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Günther
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paschke
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017510:Protein Folding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000502:physiology; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
chemical_list: D011962:Receptors, FSH; D011974:Receptors, LH; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin