GHRH

This gene encodes a member of the glucagon family of proteins. The encoded preproprotein is produced in the hypothalamus and cleaved to generate the mature factor, known as somatoliberin, which acts to stimulate growth hormone release from the pituitary gland. Variant receptors for somatoliberin have been found in several types of tumors, and antagonists of these receptors can inhibit the growth of the tumors. Defects in this gene are a cause of dwarfism, while hypersecretion of the encoded protein is a cause of gigantism. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants, at least one of which encodes a preproprotein that is proteolytically processed. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2016]

Full Name

Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone

Function

GRF is released by the hypothalamus and acts on the adenohypophyse to stimulate the secretion of growth hormone.

Biological Process

Adenohypophysis development Source: BHF-UCL
Adenylate cyclase-activating G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway Source: BHF-UCL
Cell-cell signaling Source: ProtInc
Growth hormone secretion Source: MGI
Positive regulation of cell population proliferation Source: BHF-UCL
Positive regulation of circadian sleep/wake cycle, REM sleep Source: BHF-UCL
Positive regulation of growth hormone secretion Source: BHF-UCL
Positive regulation of insulin-like growth factor receptor signaling pathway Source: BHF-UCL
Positive regulation of multicellular organism growth Source: BHF-UCL
Response to food Source: BHF-UCL

Cellular Location

Secreted