GPR37L1 mutation associated with a novel neurological disorder

 描述(申请人提供)：GPR37L1是一种G蛋白偶联受体，几乎只在中枢神经系统中表达。这种受体在星形胶质细胞、少突胶质细胞和某些神经元群体中高度表达，我的实验室最近发现GPR37L1是分泌的神经保护和神经胶质保护因子丙皂苷的受体。最近发现GPR37L1突变与一种新型的遗传性神经疾病有关，这种疾病的特征是从青春期开始就开始头痛和癫痫发作，癫痫发作在整个青少年时期变得更加频繁和严重，最终导致青少年后期死亡。在该家族受影响的成员中发现的GPR37L1突变是一种错义突变，它改变了受体第三细胞质环中的氨基酸，这是大多数G蛋白偶联受体的一个区域，对控制它们的信号和调节很重要。我们将评估突变对GPR37L1折叠、运输和信号的影响，以确定该突变可能如何导致人类疾病，以及携带该突变的患者可能如何治疗。除了提供与GPR37L1突变相关的神经疾病的见解外，这些研究还将揭示GPR37L1的正常功能，从而为从药物上针对这种受体奠定基础，以便使中风和/或其他神经退行性疾病患者普遍受益。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): GPR37L1 is a G protein-coupled receptor that is expressed almost exclusively in the central nervous system. This receptor is highly expressed in astrocytes as well as in oligodendrocytes and certain neuronal populations, and my laboratory recently identified GPR37L1 as a receptor for the secreted neuroprotective and glioprotective factor prosaposin. A GPR37L1 mutation was recently found to be associated with a novel inherited neurological disorder characterized by headaches and seizures starting at the onset of puberty, with the seizures growing more frequent and severe throughout the teen years and ultimately resulting in death by the late teens. The GPR37L1 mutation identified in the affected members of this family is a missense mutation that changes an amino acid in the receptor's third cytoplasmic loop, a region of most G protein-coupled receptors that is important for controlling their signaling and regulation. We will assess the effects of the mutation on the folding, trafficking and signaling of GPR37L1 in order to determine how this mutation might be causing human disease and how patients harboring this mutation might be treated. In addition to providing insights into the neurological disorder associated with the GPR37L1 mutation, these studies will also shed significant light on the normal function of GPR37L1 and thereby set the stage for targeting this receptor pharmacologically in order to generally benefit patients sufferin from stroke and/or other neurodegenerative conditions.