The very large G protein coupled receptor (Vlgr1) in hair cells

J Mol Neurosci. 2013 May;50(1):204-14. doi: 10.1007/s12031-012-9911-5. Epub 2012 Nov 20.

Abstract

The very large G protein coupled receptor (Vlgr1) is a member of adhesion receptors or large N-terminal family B-7 transmembrane helixes (LNB7TM) receptors within the seven trans-membrane receptor superfamily. Vlgr1 is the largest GPCR identified to date; its mRNA spans 19 kb and encodes 6,300 amino acids. Vlgr1 is a core component of ankle-link complex in inner ear hair cells. Knock-out and mutation mouse models show that loss of Vlgr1 function leads to abnormal stereociliary development and hearing loss, indicating crucial roles of Vlgr1 in hearing transduction or auditory system development. Over the past 10 or so years, human genetics data suggested that Vlgr1 mutations cause Usher syndromes and seizures. Although significant progresses have been made, the details of Vlgr1's function in hair cells, its signaling cascade, and the mechanisms underlying causative effects of Vlgr1 mutations in human diseases remain elusive and ask for further investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Hair Cells, Auditory / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / chemistry
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Usher Syndromes / genetics

Substances

  • ADGRV1 protein, human
  • Mass1 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled