Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Receptor PAC1 (PAC1R)

The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor PAC1 (PAC1R) is a G protein-coupled receptor that binds PACAP with high affinity. It belongs to the class B family of GPCRs and undergoes extensive alternative splicing, resulting in several isoforms with differing signaling properties. PAC1R is widely expressed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as endocrine tissues, and plays a role in diverse physiological functions, including neuroendocrine regulation, stress response, and pain processing. Dysregulation of the PACAP/PAC1 system is implicated in psychiatric conditions like PTSD and chronic pain states such as migraine headaches.

Other names

ADCYAP receptor type 1Adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 1 receptor 1Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide type I receptorPVR1PACAPRPACAP type IA receptor

Agonist binding leads to activation of Gs and Gq proteins, increasing cAMP and intracellular calcium levels, respectively. This further activates downstream signaling pathways such as PKA, PKC and ERK.