title: Diseases associated with growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) mutations.
abstract: The growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor (GHRHR) belongs to the G protein-coupled receptors family. It is expressed almost exclusively in the anterior pituitary, where it is necessary for somatotroph cells proliferation and for GH synthesis and secretion. Mutations in the human GHRHR gene (GHRHR) can impair ligand binding and signal transduction, and have been estimated to cause about 10% of autosomal recessive familial isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD). Mutations reported to date include five splice donor site mutations, two microdeletions, two nonsense mutations, seven missense mutations, and one mutation in the promoter. These mutations have an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance, and heterozygous individuals do not show signs of IGHD, although the presence of an intermediate phenotype has been hypothesized. Conversely, patients with biallelic mutations have low serum insulin-like growth factor-1 and GH levels (with absent or reduced GH response to exogenous stimuli), resulting--if not treated--in proportionate dwarfism. This chapter reviews the biology of the GHRHR, the mutations that affect its gene and their effects in homozygous and heterozygous individuals.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martari
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salvatori
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004194:Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018017:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone-Regulating Hormone / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; D018017:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone-Regulating Hormone; C048250:somatotropin releasing hormone receptor