GPR54 regulates gene expression in a Gq/11 and beta-arrestin-dependent manner

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Receptors are protein molecules expressed by all cells. Their job is to detect various stimuli, such as light and odor that the cell is exposed to and to convert these stimuli into a "language" the cell understands and can respond to appropriately. Failure to do so can result in the death of the cell. Despite decades of research, we are still unraveling how receptors convey these messages to the cell. In our case we are specifically interested in a receptor called GPR54. GPR54 regulates the reproductive capacity of animals, including humans. Recently, we determined that GPR54 uses two mechanisms to convey messages to cells. It was previously thought that only one of these two mechanisms might have instructed the cell to trigger changes in its gene expression; an act that ensures cell survival. However, we have evidence that the second mechanim also has a similar effect and it is critical we gain a more detailed insight into this. We believe that by understanding these mechanims in detail, we can develop novel livestock research programmes.