Question 1

What is the Meaning of GPR147?

Accepted Answer

GPR147, formally known as G protein-coupled receptor 147, is a specific cell surface receptor that primarily binds to the neuropeptides prokineticin 1 and prokineticin 2. These receptors are essential components of cellular communication, facilitating the transmission of extracellular signals into the cell to initiate various physiological responses through the activation of intracellular signaling pathways.

Question 2

What is the Context of GPR147?

Accepted Answer

This receptor is broadly expressed across multiple organ systems, including the central nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive tissues. Within the neuroendocrine system, GPR147 and its associated ligands influence critical processes such as the regulation of circadian rhythms, stress responses, and the complex control of reproductive hormone secretion, contributing to overall physiological homeostasis.

Question 3

What is the Significance of GPR147?

Accepted Answer

Understanding the functional role of GPR147 holds considerable clinical importance, particularly for conditions affecting gastrointestinal motility, reproductive health, and specific neurological disorders. Dysregulation in GPR147 signaling can contribute to clinical manifestations such as altered bowel transit, challenges with fertility, or disruptions in normal sleep-wake cycles, thereby representing a potential target for therapeutic strategies.

Question 4

What is the Mechanism of GPR147?

Accepted Answer

Upon the binding of its specific prokineticin ligands, GPR147 undergoes a conformational change that activates associated G proteins, typically leading to the activation of phospholipase C and a subsequent increase in intracellular calcium concentrations. This cascade of events modulates various cellular activities, including the contraction of smooth muscle in the digestive system, neuronal excitability, and the controlled release of various neurotransmitters and hormones, mediating the broad physiological effects of prokineticins.

Question 5

What is the Application of GPR147?

Accepted Answer

Ongoing research into GPR147's role in human health aims to identify and develop targeted pharmacological agents that can either activate or inhibit this receptor. For instance, GPR147 agonists might be investigated for conditions characterized by reduced gastrointestinal motility, while antagonists could potentially address issues such as inflammatory pain or certain types of cancer where prokineticin signaling is aberrantly elevated, offering new avenues for clinical intervention.

Question 6

What is the Metric of GPR147?

Accepted Answer

Currently, direct clinical measurement of GPR147 receptor activity or expression is not a routine diagnostic procedure in standard medical practice. Research and experimental contexts often employ molecular techniques such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction to assess mRNA levels, Western blotting for protein expression, or specific ligand binding assays in cell lines or tissue samples to evaluate GPR147 status. Functional assays that measure downstream signaling pathway activation can also provide an indication of receptor engagement.

Question 7

What is the Risk of GPR147?

Accepted Answer

Given GPR147's widespread involvement in numerous physiological systems, modulating its activity without precise targeting or comprehensive understanding could potentially lead to undesirable systemic effects. Potential risks associated with broad GPR147 modulation include disturbances in gastrointestinal function, alterations in sleep patterns, imbalances within the reproductive system, or cardiovascular side effects, stemming from its diverse expression profile and multifaceted physiological roles. Any therapeutic intervention targeting GPR147 would necessitate rigorous clinical evaluation and careful consideration of these potential systemic impacts.

GPR147

Meaning

Context

Significance

Mechanism

Application

Metric

Risk

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