Endocrine Abstracts

Calcitonin and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) are members of a family of neuropeptides that exert effects by activating secretin-type G-protein coupled receptors. Calcitonin lowers blood calcium levels and acts to protect against calcium loss from the skeleton during periods of calcium mobilisation. CRH is a key player in the stress response mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Analysis of the phylogenetic distribution of calcitonin-type and CRH-type pep...

Background: The identification of MRAP in 2005 as the first melanocortin-2-receptor (MC2R)/ACTH receptor accessory protein provided insight into the regulation of the melanocortin receptor system. Mutations in MRAP cause Familial glucocorticoid deficiency, an autosomal recessive disorder resulting in isolated cortisol deficiency. In vitro studies showed that MRAP was essential for the functional expression of the MC2R. The melanocortin receptor (MCR) family (MC1R to MC5...

The melanocortin-2-receptor accessory protein (MRAP) is a type I integral transmembrane protein required for the functional expression of the melanocortin-2-receptor (MC2R).Here we have investigated the expression and biochemical properties of mouse MRAP. Initially, mouse MRAP and MC2R tissue expression were determined by RT-PCR, being only present in the adrenal gland and fat tissue. Then, by in situ hybridisation studies using a full-length MRAP...

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) regulates secretion of the reproductive hormones luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in mammals. Homologs of GnRH have been identified in protostomian and deuterostomian invertebrates, and functional studies suggest an ancient role in regulation of reproductive physiology. The aim of this study was to characterise for the first time a GnRH-type signalling system in an echinoderm, using the starfish Asterias ...