Role of the teneurins, teneurin C-terminal associated peptides (TCAP) in reproduction: clinical perspectives.
In humans, the teneurin gene family consists of four highly conserved paralogous genes that are the result of early vertebrate gene duplications arising from a gene introduced into multicellular organisms from a bacterial ancestor. In vertebrates and humans, the teneurins have become integrated into a number of critical physiological systems including several aspects of reproductive physiology. Structurally complex, these genes possess a sequence in their terminal exon that encodes for a bioactive peptide sequence termed the 'teneurin C-terminal associated peptide' (TCAP). The teneurin/TCAP protein forms an intercellular adhesive unit with its receptor, latrophilin, an Adhesion family G-protein coupled receptor. It is present in numerous cell types and has been implicated in gamete migration and gonadal morphology. Moreover, TCAP is highly effective at reducing the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) stress response. As a result, TCAP may also play a role in regulating the stress-associated inhibition of reproduction. In addition, the teneurins and TCAP have been implicated in tumorigenesis associated with reproductive tissues. Therefore, the teneurin/TCAP system may offer clinicians a novel biomarker system upon which to diagnose some reproductive pathologies.
David A
DA
Lovejoy
Téa
T
Pavlović
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D063646:Carcinogenesis; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D059748:Proteolysis; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D018000:Receptors, Peptide / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction; D015398:Signal Transduction; D019063:Tenascin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
C467733:ADGRL1 protein, human; D015415:Biomarkers; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018000:Receptors, Peptide; C575832:TENM3 protein, human; C576539:TENM4 protein, human; D019063:Tenascin; C120530:teneurin-1