Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor
Encyclopedia
The glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R) is a human gene
which resides on chromosome 6. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the glucagon receptor family
of G protein-coupled receptor
s.
(GLP1) and has much lower affinity for related peptides such as the gastric inhibitory polypeptide and glucagon
.
beta cells. Activated GLP1R stimulates the adenylyl cyclase pathway which results in increased insulin
synthesis and release of insulin. Consequently GLP1R has been suggested as a potential target for the treatment of diabetes.
GLP1R is also expressed in the brain where it is involved in the control of appetite
. Furthermore, mice which over express GLP1R display improved memory and learning.
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
which resides on chromosome 6. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the glucagon receptor family
Glucagon receptor family
The glucagon receptor family is a group of closely related G-protein coupled receptors which include:* Glucagon receptor* Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor* Glucagon-like peptide 2 receptor* Gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor...
of G protein-coupled receptor
G protein-coupled receptor
G protein-coupled receptors , also known as seven-transmembrane domain receptors, 7TM receptors, heptahelical receptors, serpentine receptor, and G protein-linked receptors , comprise a large protein family of transmembrane receptors that sense molecules outside the cell and activate inside signal...
s.
Ligand specificity
GLP1R binds specifically the glucagon-like peptide-1Glucagon-like peptide-1
Glucagon-like peptide-1 is derived from the transcription product of the proglucagon gene. The major source of GLP-1 in the body is the intestinal L cell that secretes GLP-1 as a gut hormone. The biologically active forms of GLP-1 are: GLP-1- and GLP-1-NH2...
(GLP1) and has much lower affinity for related peptides such as the gastric inhibitory polypeptide and glucagon
Glucagon
Glucagon, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, raises blood glucose levels. Its effect is opposite that of insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels. The pancreas releases glucagon when blood sugar levels fall too low. Glucagon causes the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose, which is...
.
Function and therapeutic potential
GLP1R is known to be expressed in pancreaticPancreas
The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, as well as a digestive organ, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that assist...
beta cells. Activated GLP1R stimulates the adenylyl cyclase pathway which results in increased insulin
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone central to regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle....
synthesis and release of insulin. Consequently GLP1R has been suggested as a potential target for the treatment of diabetes.
GLP1R is also expressed in the brain where it is involved in the control of appetite
Appetite
The appetite is the desire to eat food, felt as hunger. Appetite exists in all higher life-forms, and serves to regulate adequate energy intake to maintain metabolic needs. It is regulated by a close interplay between the digestive tract, adipose tissue and the brain. Decreased desire to eat is...
. Furthermore, mice which over express GLP1R display improved memory and learning.