
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced in the pituitary and is essential for reproduction. It specifically binds to a membrane receptor (FSHR) expressed in somatic cells of the gonads. The FSH/FSHR system presents many peculiarities compared to classical G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). FSH is a large naturally heterogeneous heterodimeric glycoprotein. The FSHR is characterized by a very large NH2-terminal extracellular domain, which binds the FSH and participates to the activation/inactivation switch of the receptor. Once activated, the FSHR couples to G��s and, in some instances, to other G�� subunits. G protein-coupled receptor kinases and ��-arrestins are also recruited to the FSHR and account for its desensitization, the control of its trafficking and its intracellular signalling. Of note, the FSHR internalization and recycling are very fast and involve very early endosomes instead of early endosomes. All the transduction mechanisms triggered upon FSH stimulation lead to the activation of a complex signalling network that controls gene expression by acting at multiple levels. The integration of these mechanisms leads to context-adapted responses from the target gonadal cells, but also indirectly affects the fate of germ cells. Depending of the physiological/developmental stage, FSH elicits proliferation, differentiation or apoptosis in order to maintain the homeostasis of the reproductive system. Pharmacological tools targeting FSHR recently came to the fore and open promising prospects both for basic research and therapeutic applications. This paper provides an updated review of the most salient aspects and peculiarities of FSHR biology and pharmacology.
Molecular Networks (q-bio.MN), Apoptosis, [SDV.BC.BC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Cellular Biology/Subcellular Processes [q-bio.SC], Models, Biological, GPCR, Bias, GTP-Binding Proteins, [SDV.BC.BC] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Cellular Biology/Subcellular Processes [q-bio.SC], Animals, Humans, Quantitative Biology - Molecular Networks, Follicle-stimulating hormone, Pharmacology, β-arrestin, Reproduction, Modeling, G protein, Signaling, Glycoprotein hormones, Fertility, FOS: Biological sciences, Receptors, FSH, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Signal Transduction
Molecular Networks (q-bio.MN), Apoptosis, [SDV.BC.BC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Cellular Biology/Subcellular Processes [q-bio.SC], Models, Biological, GPCR, Bias, GTP-Binding Proteins, [SDV.BC.BC] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Cellular Biology/Subcellular Processes [q-bio.SC], Animals, Humans, Quantitative Biology - Molecular Networks, Follicle-stimulating hormone, Pharmacology, β-arrestin, Reproduction, Modeling, G protein, Signaling, Glycoprotein hormones, Fertility, FOS: Biological sciences, Receptors, FSH, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Signal Transduction
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 25 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
