Novel biological and possible applicable roles of LH/hCG receptor

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2007 Apr 15;269(1-2):51-60. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2006.08.016. Epub 2007 Feb 7.

Abstract

Luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin (LH/hCG) receptors are widely expressed in gonadal cells, however, the presence of these receptors has also been demonstrated in several other non-gonadal female and male tissues. The expression level of non-gonadal LH/hCG receptors is much lower than in gonads, although their expression is regulated by similar mechanisms and they also exert biological effects using similar signaling pathways. Hormonally regulated LH/hCG receptor expression in the oviduct suggests that LH could be involved in the regulation of its contraction, gametes/embryos transport and synchronization of the fertilization. One of the major roles of the myometrial LH/hCG receptors may also be the stimulation of growth and maintenance of the uterine relaxation during pregnancy. In pigs, LH seems to be one of the pleiotropic factors which influence the endometrial prostaglandin F(2alpha) synthesis and initiation of the luteolysis. The LH/hCG receptor expression in several cancer cells provides new possibilities for developing new strategies for targeted cancer therapy based on lytic LH/hCG conjugates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / therapeutic use
  • Endometrium / metabolism
  • Fallopian Tubes / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Luteinizing Hormone / therapeutic use
  • Models, Biological
  • Myometrium / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Receptors, LH / genetics
  • Receptors, LH / metabolism
  • Receptors, LH / physiology*
  • Uterus / blood supply

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Receptors, LH
  • Luteinizing Hormone