GPR50 receptor one of the member of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is extensively expressed in the pituitary, hypothalamus,cortex, midbrain, pons, amygdala, and in several brainstem nuclei. The exact function of this receptor in brain is remains unclear. This review presents current knowledge regarding the function of GPR50 receptor in brain, with a focus on role of this receptor in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling, leptin signaling, adaptive thermogenesis, torpor, neurite outgrowth, and self-renewal and neuronal differentiation of neural progenitor cells NPCs. Although the results are encouraging, further research is needed to clarify GPR50 role in neurobiology of mood disorders, adaptive thermogenesis, torpor, and in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders.
Keywords: GPR50 receptor; Glucocorticoid receptor signaling; Hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis; Neural progenitor cells; Neurite outgrowth; Torpor.
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