Progonadoliberin-2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GNRH2 gene.
The protein encoded by this gene is a preproprotein that is cleaved to form a secreted 10 aa peptide hormone, QHWSHGWYPG. The secreted decapeptide regulates reproduction in females by stimulating the secretion of both luteinizing- and follicle-stimulating hormones. Three transcript variants that encode unique proproteins but the same peptide hormone have been found for this gene. The peptide belongs to gonadotropin-releasing hormone family.
Most vertebrate species possess two or three forms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) expressed in three distinct brain regions. Although the function of the hypothalamic form (GnRH1; common to many vertebrates), in controlling the reproductive axis has been defined, the functions of the other two isoforms (GnRH2 and GnRH3) remain largely unknown.The Highly Conserved Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone-2 Form Acts as a Melatonin-Releasing Factor in the Pineal of a Teleost Fish, the European Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax The presence and conservation of GnRH2 across vertebrate species indicate important biological roles, but the absence of GnRH2 in rodents has greatly hampered the use of these vertebrate models and modern molecular tools to pursue its functions.Comprehensive Analysis of GnRH2 Neuronal Projections in Zebrafish
A relatively well-documented function of GnRH2 is that the administration of GnRH2 has anorexigenic effects in female musk shrew, mouse, goldfish and zebrafish,Gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2 suppresses food intake in the zebrafish, Danio rerio but the mechanisms are still unclear.
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