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GPR101 gene
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/gpr101/

GPR101 gene

G protein-coupled receptor 101

Normal Function

The GPR101 gene provides instructions for making a type of protein called a G protein-coupled receptor. G protein-coupled receptors are embedded in the outer membrane of cells, where they relay chemical signals from outside the cell to the interior of the cell. However, the specific function of the GPR101 protein is unknown. The protein is found primarily in the brain, and studies suggest that it has a role in the pituitary gland. This gland, located at the base of the brain, produces hormones that control many important body functions. One of these hormones, called growth hormone, helps direct normal growth of the body's bones and tissues. The GPR101 protein is predominantly expressed in the pituitary gland during development before birth and again at adolescence, stages when the body grows the most. The protein is thought to be involved in the growth of cells in the pituitary gland, in the release of growth hormone from the gland, or in both processes.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

X-linked acrogigantism

Genetic changes involving the GPR101 gene cause a condition called X-linked acrogigantism (X-LAG), which is characterized by abnormally fast growth beginning in infancy or early childhood. Signs and symptoms of the condition result from enlargement (hyperplasia) of the gland or development of a noncancerous tumor in the gland (called a pituitary adenoma). The abnormal gland releases more growth hormone than normal, causing rapid growth in individuals with X-LAG.

X-LAG occurs when a small amount of genetic material on the X chromosome is abnormally copied (duplicated). The duplication, often referred to as an Xq26.3 microduplication, occurs on the long (q) arm of the chromosome at a location designated q26.3. Although several genes can be duplicated, only an extra copy of the GPR101 gene is necessary to cause X-LAG. Duplication of the gene leads to an excess of GPR101 protein. It is unclear how extra GPR101 protein results in pituitary adenoma or hyperplasia or the release of excess growth hormone.

More About This Health Condition

Other disorders

A variation in the GPR101 gene is found in a small percentage of people with sporadic acromegaly, a condition that begins in adulthood and is characterized by overgrowth of the hands and feet, "coarse" facial features, heart problems, and other abnormalities. Sporadic acromegaly occurs in people with no history of overgrowth in their family. This variant leads to production of an altered GPR101 protein in which the protein building block (amino acid) glutamate is replaced with the amino acid aspartic acid at position 308 (written as Glu308Asp or E308D). Studies in the lab show that this alteration can lead to a small increase in the release of growth hormone and promote the growth and division (proliferation) of cells, although researchers are unsure exactly how it is associated with acromegaly in affected individuals.

While some studies found the E308D GPR101 variant in a small percentage of people with sporadic acromegaly, other studies were unable to replicate this result, suggesting that the genetic change may not play a major role in development of the condition.

Other Names for This Gene

  • GPCR6
  • PAGH2

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Daly AF, Yuan B, Fina F, Caberg JH, Trivellin G, Rostomyan L, de Herder WW, Naves LA, Metzger D, Cuny T, Rabl W, Shah N, Jaffrain-Rea ML, Zatelli MC, Faucz FR, Castermans E, Nanni-Metellus I, Lodish M, Muhammad A, Palmeira L, Potorac I, Mantovani G, Neggers SJ, Klein M, Barlier A, Liu P, Ouafik L, Bours V, Lupski JR, Stratakis CA, Beckers A. Somatic mosaicism underlies X-linked acrogigantism syndrome in sporadic male subjects. Endocr Relat Cancer. 2016 Apr;23(4):221-33. doi: 10.1530/ERC-16-0082. Epub 2016 Mar 2. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Ferrau F, Romeo PD, Puglisi S, Ragonese M, Torre ML, Scaroni C, Occhi G, De Menis E, Arnaldi G, Trimarchi F, Cannavo S. Analysis of GPR101 and AIP genes mutations in acromegaly: a multicentric study. Endocrine. 2016 Dec;54(3):762-767. doi: 10.1007/s12020-016-0862-4. Epub 2016 Jan 27. Citation on PubMed
  • Iacovazzo D, Caswell R, Bunce B, Jose S, Yuan B, Hernandez-Ramirez LC, Kapur S, Caimari F, Evanson J, Ferrau F, Dang MN, Gabrovska P, Larkin SJ, Ansorge O, Rodd C, Vance ML, Ramirez-Renteria C, Mercado M, Goldstone AP, Buchfelder M, Burren CP, Gurlek A, Dutta P, Choong CS, Cheetham T, Trivellin G, Stratakis CA, Lopes MB, Grossman AB, Trouillas J, Lupski JR, Ellard S, Sampson JR, Roncaroli F, Korbonits M. Germline or somatic GPR101 duplication leads to X-linked acrogigantism: a clinico-pathological and genetic study. Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2016 Jun 1;4(1):56. doi: 10.1186/s40478-016-0328-1. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Matsumoto R, Izawa M, Fukuoka H, Iguchi G, Odake Y, Yoshida K, Bando H, Suda K, Nishizawa H, Takahashi M, Inoshita N, Yamada S, Ogawa W, Takahashi Y. Genetic and clinical characteristics of Japanese patients with sporadic somatotropinoma. Endocr J. 2016 Nov 30;63(11):953-963. doi: 10.1507/endocrj.EJ16-0075. Epub 2016 Aug 6. Citation on PubMed
  • Trivellin G, Bjelobaba I, Daly AF, Larco DO, Palmeira L, Faucz FR, Thiry A, Leal LF, Rostomyan L, Quezado M, Schernthaner-Reiter MH, Janjic MM, Villa C, Wu TJ, Stojilkovic SS, Beckers A, Feldman B, Stratakis CA. Characterization of GPR101 transcript structure and expression patterns. J Mol Endocrinol. 2016 Aug;57(2):97-111. doi: 10.1530/JME-16-0045. Epub 2016 Jun 9. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Trivellin G, Daly AF, Faucz FR, Yuan B, Rostomyan L, Larco DO, Schernthaner-Reiter MH, Szarek E, Leal LF, Caberg JH, Castermans E, Villa C, Dimopoulos A, Chittiboina P, Xekouki P, Shah N, Metzger D, Lysy PA, Ferrante E, Strebkova N, Mazerkina N, Zatelli MC, Lodish M, Horvath A, de Alexandre RB, Manning AD, Levy I, Keil MF, Sierra Mde L, Palmeira L, Coppieters W, Georges M, Naves LA, Jamar M, Bours V, Wu TJ, Choong CS, Bertherat J, Chanson P, Kamenicky P, Farrell WE, Barlier A, Quezado M, Bjelobaba I, Stojilkovic SS, Wess J, Costanzi S, Liu P, Lupski JR, Beckers A, Stratakis CA. Gigantism and acromegaly due to Xq26 microduplications and GPR101 mutation. N Engl J Med. 2014 Dec 18;371(25):2363-74. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1408028. Epub 2014 Dec 3. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central

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