THE HUMAN GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE (GNRH) RECEPTOR GENE - CLONING, GENOMIC ORGANIZATION AND CHROMOSOMAL ASSIGNMENT

The cDNA encoding the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor h as recently been cloned and characterized in several species, includin g human. To determine the structure of the gene encoding the human GnR H receptor, we have screened a human genomic library and isolated seve n positive clones, using cDNA probes derived from a human pituitary cD NA library. The isolated genomic clone contains the entire protein cod ing region of the GnRH receptor which is distributed between three exo ns and spans over 18.9 kb. Sequence analysis and restriction endonucle ase mapping revealed the presence of two introns of 4.2 and 5.0 kb, re spectively, both located within the open reading frame, designating th e human GnRH receptor gene to the intron-containing class of the G-pro tein coupled receptor superfamily. Genomic Southern blot analysis indi cated the presence of a single copy of the gene encoding for the GnRH receptor within the human genome. Using DNA from human-hamster somatic hybrid cell lines, the GnRH receptor gene was assigned to human chrom osome 4, by means of PCR. The present study represents the first repor t on the GnRH receptor gene and its partial characterization should fa cilitate further investigation of the mechanisms by which expression o f this gene is regulated.