Biomaterial Database

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone: gene evolution, expression, and regulation. 2005

Denise D Belsham, and David A Lovejoy

Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8.

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) gene is a superb example of the diverse regulation that is required to maintain the function of an evolutionarily conserved and fundamental gene. Because reproductive capacity is critical to the survival of the species, physiological homeostasis dictates optimal conditions for reproductive success, and any perturbation from this balance may affect GnRH expression. These disturbances may include alterations in signals dictated by stress, nutritional imbalance, body weight, and neurological problems; therefore, changes in other neuroendocrine systems may directly influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis through direct regulation of GnRH. Thus, to maintain optimal reproductive capacity, the regulation of the GnRH gene is tightly constrained by a number of diverse signaling pathways and neuromodulators. In this review, we summarize what is currently known of GnRH gene structure, the location and function of the two isoforms of the GnRH gene, some of the many hormones and neuromodulators found to affect GnRH expression, and the molecular mechanisms responsible for the regulation of the GnRH gene. We also discuss the latest models used to study the transcriptional regulation of the GnRH gene, from cell models to evolving in vivo technologies. Although we have come a long way in the last two decades toward uncovering the intricacies behind the control of the GnRH neuron, there remain vast distances to cover before direct therapeutic manipulation of the GnRH gene to control reproductive competence is possible.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007987	Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone	A decapeptide that stimulates the synthesis and secretion of both pituitary gonadotropins, LUTEINIZING HORMONE and FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE. GnRH is produced by neurons in the septum PREOPTIC AREA of the HYPOTHALAMUS and released into the pituitary portal blood, leading to stimulation of GONADOTROPHS in the ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND.	FSH-Releasing Hormone,GnRH,Gonadoliberin,Gonadorelin,LH-FSH Releasing Hormone,LHRH,Luliberin,Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone,Cystorelin,Dirigestran,Factrel,Gn-RH,Gonadorelin Acetate,Gonadorelin Hydrochloride,Kryptocur,LFRH,LH-RH,LH-Releasing Hormone,LHFSH Releasing Hormone,LHFSHRH,FSH Releasing Hormone,Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone,LH FSH Releasing Hormone,LH Releasing Hormone,Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone,Releasing Hormone, LHFSH
D008969	Molecular Sequence Data	Descriptions of specific amino acid, carbohydrate, or nucleotide sequences which have appeared in the published literature and/or are deposited in and maintained by databanks such as GENBANK, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), National Biomedical Research Foundation (NBRF), or other sequence repositories.	Sequence Data, Molecular,Molecular Sequencing Data,Data, Molecular Sequence,Data, Molecular Sequencing,Sequencing Data, Molecular
D009457	Neuroglia	The non-neuronal cells of the nervous system. They not only provide physical support, but also respond to injury, regulate the ionic and chemical composition of the extracellular milieu, participate in the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER and BLOOD-RETINAL BARRIER, form the myelin insulation of nervous pathways, guide neuronal migration during development, and exchange metabolites with neurons. Neuroglia have high-affinity transmitter uptake systems, voltage-dependent and transmitter-gated ion channels, and can release transmitters, but their role in signaling (as in many other functions) is unclear.	Bergmann Glia,Bergmann Glia Cells,Bergmann Glial Cells,Glia,Glia Cells,Satellite Glia,Satellite Glia Cells,Satellite Glial Cells,Glial Cells,Neuroglial Cells,Bergmann Glia Cell,Bergmann Glial Cell,Cell, Bergmann Glia,Cell, Bergmann Glial,Cell, Glia,Cell, Glial,Cell, Neuroglial,Cell, Satellite Glia,Cell, Satellite Glial,Glia Cell,Glia Cell, Bergmann,Glia Cell, Satellite,Glia, Bergmann,Glia, Satellite,Glial Cell,Glial Cell, Bergmann,Glial Cell, Satellite,Glias,Neuroglial Cell,Neuroglias,Satellite Glia Cell,Satellite Glial Cell,Satellite Glias
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D002450	Cell Communication	Any of several ways in which living cells of an organism communicate with one another, whether by direct contact between cells or by means of chemical signals carried by neurotransmitter substances, hormones, and cyclic AMP.	Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interaction,Cell Communications,Cell Interactions,Cell to Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interactions,Communication, Cell,Communications, Cell,Interaction, Cell,Interaction, Cell-to-Cell,Interactions, Cell,Interactions, Cell-to-Cell
D002465	Cell Movement	The movement of cells from one location to another. Distinguish from CYTOKINESIS which is the process of dividing the CYTOPLASM of a cell.	Cell Migration,Locomotion, Cell,Migration, Cell,Motility, Cell,Movement, Cell,Cell Locomotion,Cell Motility,Cell Movements,Movements, Cell
D002940	Circadian Rhythm	The regular recurrence, in cycles of about 24 hours, of biological processes or activities, such as sensitivity to drugs or environmental and physiological stimuli.	Diurnal Rhythm,Nyctohemeral Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythm,Nycthemeral Rhythm,Circadian Rhythms,Diurnal Rhythms,Nycthemeral Rhythms,Nyctohemeral Rhythms,Rhythm, Circadian,Rhythm, Diurnal,Rhythm, Nycthemeral,Rhythm, Nyctohemeral,Rhythm, Twenty-Four Hour,Rhythms, Circadian,Rhythms, Diurnal,Rhythms, Nycthemeral,Rhythms, Nyctohemeral,Rhythms, Twenty-Four Hour,Twenty Four Hour Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythms
D004967	Estrogens	Compounds that interact with ESTROGEN RECEPTORS in target tissues to bring about the effects similar to those of ESTRADIOL. Estrogens stimulate the female reproductive organs, and the development of secondary female SEX CHARACTERISTICS. Estrogenic chemicals include natural, synthetic, steroidal, or non-steroidal compounds.	Estrogen,Estrogen Effect,Estrogen Effects,Estrogen Receptor Agonists,Estrogenic Agents,Estrogenic Compounds,Estrogenic Effect,Estrogenic Effects,Agents, Estrogenic,Agonists, Estrogen Receptor,Compounds, Estrogenic,Effects, Estrogen,Effects, Estrogenic,Receptor Agonists, Estrogen
D005786	Gene Expression Regulation	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.	Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D005938	Glucocorticoids	A group of CORTICOSTEROIDS that affect carbohydrate metabolism (GLUCONEOGENESIS, liver glycogen deposition, elevation of BLOOD SUGAR), inhibit ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE secretion, and possess pronounced anti-inflammatory activity. They also play a role in fat and protein metabolism, maintenance of arterial blood pressure, alteration of the connective tissue response to injury, reduction in the number of circulating lymphocytes, and functioning of the central nervous system.	Glucocorticoid,Glucocorticoid Effect,Glucorticoid Effects,Effect, Glucocorticoid,Effects, Glucorticoid