G Protein Coupled Receptor 172B (GPR172B)

GPCR41 and GPCR42 act as receptors for porcine endogenous retrovirus subgroup A (PERV-A).The deduced 448-amino acid protein is a putative G protein-coupled receptor and contains 10 or 11 putative transmembrane regions similar to other gammaretrovirus receptors. PAR2 shares significant homology with PAR1 and with PAR proteins from baboon, pig, and mouse. Northern blot analysis using a probe that did not differentiate between PAR1 and PAR2 detected expression in all tissues examined, with the possible exception of bladder. Highest expression was in testis. RT-PCR detected PAR1 and PAR2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 11 healthy volunteers. Confocal microscopy detected expression of fluorescence-tagged PAR2 at the plasma membrane and in the perinuclear region of transfected rabbit corneal fibroblasts.