Heifers express G-protein coupled receptor 153 in anterior pituitary gonadotrophs in stage-dependent manner.

We recently found that orphan G-protein-coupled receptor (GPR)153 is expressed in the anterior pituitary (AP) of heifers, leading us to speculate that GPR153 colocalizes with gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) in the plasma membrane of gonadotrophs and is expressed at specific times of the reproductive cycle. To test this hypothesis, we examined the coexpression of GnRHR, GPR153, and either luteinizing hormone or follicle-stimulating hormone in AP tissue and cultured AP cells by immunofluorescence microscopy. GPR153 was detected in the gonadotrophs, and was colocalized with GnRHR in the plasma membrane. GPR153 was also detected in the cytoplasm of cultured gonadotrophs. Real-time PCR and western blot analyses found that expression was lower (P < 0.05) in AP tissues during early luteal phase as compared to pre-ovulation or late luteal phases. The 5'-flanking region of the GPR153 gene contained a consensus response element sequence for estrogen, but not for progesterone. These data suggest that some, but not all GPR153 colocalizes with GnRHR in the plasma membrane of gonadotrophs, and its expression changes stage-dependently in the bovine AP.