Regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) gene expression in hypothalamic neuronal cells

Margaret E. Wierman, Jan M. Bruder, Jadwiga K. Kepa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

1. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is the hypothalamic releasing factor that controls pituitary gonadotropin subunit gene expression and indirectly gametogenesis and steroidogenesis from the gonad, which results in reproductive competence. 2. GnRH is synthesized in only about 1000 neurons in the hypothalamus and released in an episodic fashion down the median eminence to regulate gonadotropin biosynthesis. 3. Although much is known about the secretory dynamics of GnRH release, little is known about the pretranslational control of GnRH biosynthesis due to lack of appropriate model systems. The recent availability of immortalized neuronal cell lines that produce GnRH allows investigators for the first time to begin to dissect the factors that directly regulate GnRH gene expression. 4. This article reviews the current state of knowledge concerning the mechanisms that direct tissue-specific and peptide hormone control of GnRH biosynthesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)79-88
Number of pages10
JournalCellular and Molecular Neurobiology
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1995
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • gene expression
  • gonadotropin-releasing hormone
  • peptide hormone
  • steroid hormone
  • tissue-specific expression

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

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