The PRLHR (Prolactin-Releasing Hormone Receptor) antibody is a tool used to study the G protein-coupled receptor encoded by the PRLHR gene. This receptor, also known as hGR3 or GPR10. binds prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP), a neuropeptide implicated in regulating prolactin secretion, appetite, and stress responses. Discovered in the late 1990s, PRLHR is expressed in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and peripheral tissues, suggesting roles beyond endocrine regulation, including metabolic and cardiovascular functions.
Research using PRLHR antibodies focuses on mapping receptor distribution, understanding signaling pathways (e.g., Gq/11-mediated), and exploring its involvement in diseases like obesity, hypertension, and reproductive disorders. Studies in knockout mice reveal altered energy homeostasis and stress responses, highlighting its physiological relevance. However, the receptor's exact mechanisms remain partially unclear due to overlapping functions with related peptides and receptor isoforms.
PRLHR antibodies are critical for immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and flow cytometry applications, aiding both basic research and drug discovery. Commercial antibodies vary in specificity, requiring validation via controls like siRNA knockdown or receptor-deficient models. Recent interest lies in targeting PRLHR for metabolic syndrome therapies, though clinical applications remain exploratory. Challenges include limited antibody cross-reactivity across species and incomplete pathway characterization.