GnRH pulse frequency-dependent differential regulation of LH and FSH gene expression.
The pituitary gonadotropin hormones, FSH and LH, are essential for fertility. Containing an identical α-subunit (CGA), they are comprised of unique β-subunits, FSHβ and LHβ, respectively. These two hormones are regulated by the hypothalamic decapeptide, GnRH, which is released in a pulsatile manner from GnRH neurons located in the hypothalamus. Varying frequencies of pulsatile GnRH stimulate distinct signaling pathways and transcriptional machinery after binding to the receptor, GnRHR, on the cell surface of anterior pituitary gonadotropes. This ligand-receptor binding and activation orchestrates the synthesis and release of FSH and LH, in synergy with other effectors of gonadotropin production, such as activin, inhibin and steroids. Current research efforts aim to discover the mechanisms responsible for the decoding of the GnRH pulse signal by the gonadotrope. Modulating the response to GnRH has the potential to lead to new therapies for patients with altered gonadotropin secretion, such as those with hypothalamic amenorrhea or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
Iain R
IR
Thompson
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States. Electronic address: ukaiser@partners.org.
Ursula B
UB
Kaiser
D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
FSH; GnRH; Gonadotrope; Gonadotropins; LH