G Protein Coupled Receptor 3 (GPR3)

Marchese et al. (1994) cloned a gene designated GPR3 that showed 56% identity in the transmembrane regions with a previously characterized cDNA clone from rat. G-protein coupled receptor 3 is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor family of transmembrane receptors and is involved in signal transduction.GPR3 activates adenylate cyclase in the absence of ligand. GPR3 is expressed in mammalian oocytes where it maintains meiotic arrest and is thought to be a communication link between oocytes and the surrounding somatic tissue. While GPR3 have a certain level of constitutive activity, it is believed that sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) are ligands that further activate the receptor.