What is the GHRH receptor?
The GHRH receptor (GHRHR) is a Class B G-protein-coupled receptor expressed on anterior pituitary somatotroph cells. Mediates the GH-releasing action of growth hormone-releasing hormone; the molecular target of synthetic GHRH analogues including tesamorelin and CJC-1295.
What the research literature says
The GHRH receptor is a 423-amino-acid single-pass transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptor belonging to the secretin / class B GPCR family. Binding of native GHRH or a GHRH-analogue ligand triggers coupling to Gαs, activation of adenylate cyclase, elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP, and downstream activation of protein kinase A — the canonical cAMP-PKA signalling cascade that drives growth hormone synthesis and release from the somatotroph secretory granules.
The Jetté CJC-1295 identification paper characterised the receptor’s engagement by the long-acting GHRH analogue (PMID 15817669). The Teichman clinical-pharmacology work in healthy adults documented prolonged GH and IGF-1 secretion under CJC-1295 stimulation (PMID 16352683). The Alba GHRH-knockout mouse model confirmed receptor specificity (PMID 16822960). The Leggett work used a GHRH receptor-targeted botulinum neurotoxin construct to selectively inhibit pulsatile GH secretion (PMID 23825127).
The detailed coverage of the GHRH receptor is in the GHRH receptor glossary entry.
Why this matters in research context
The GHRH receptor matters in peptide-research contexts as the upstream target of the synthetic GHRH-analogue class. Researchers studying GH-axis pharmacology with tesamorelin or CJC-1295 should anchor protocol design to GHRH-receptor engagement at the pituitary somatotroph cells; downstream pharmacology operates through GH release into circulation and subsequent IGF-1 axis activation.
Related compounds
- Tesamorelin 10mg — full-length GHRH analogue
- CJC-1295 No DAC 10mg — modified GRF 1-29 GHRH analogue
Related research questions
References
- Jetté L et al. Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analog. Endocrinology 2005;146(7):3052-3058. [PMID 15817669]
- Teichman SL et al. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006;91(3):799-805. [PMID 16352683]
- Alba M et al. Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2006;291(6):E1290-E1294. [PMID 16822960]
- Leggett J et al. GHRH receptor-targeted botulinum neurotoxin selectively inhibits pulsatile GH secretion in male rats. Endocrinology 2013;154(9):3305-3318. [PMID 23825127]
Research-questions pages describe research-context use of peptide-research terminology. They do not constitute medical, veterinary, or clinical advice. Every compound in the Ronin catalog is sold strictly for laboratory and research use only.