SnRH3

SnRH3, also known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor 3, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GNRHR3 gene. This gene is located on chromosome 19. The GNRHR3 gene is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. It is believed to be a pseudogene, meaning it is a non-functional gene that has lost its original protein-coding ability through mutations. Pseudogenes are thought to arise from duplication events followed by the accumulation of mutations that render them inactive.

While GNRHR3 is considered a pseudogene, its presence and potential residual regulatory functions are subjects of ongoing research. Pseudogenes can sometimes play a role in regulating the expression of their functional counterpart genes through mechanisms such as competing for transcription factors or producing small regulatory RNAs. The functional counterpart to GNRHR3 is the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GNRHR), which plays a critical role in the reproductive system by mediating the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH is a decapeptide hormone produced by the hypothalamus that stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary gland, which are essential for gonadal function. The exact biological significance, if any, of the SnRH3 pseudogene remains to be fully elucidated.