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Target intelligence / Profile preview
Probable G-protein coupled receptor 151 (GPR151)
- Target
- GPR151
- Molecular classification
- G protein-coupled receptor, Rhodopsin-like Class A GPCR, SOG (Somatostatin, opioid, galanin, and kisspeptin receptor) subfamily
01
Overview
Probable G-protein coupled receptor 151 (GPR151) is an orphan Class A GPCR found primarily in the habenula, dorsal root ganglia, and spinal cord neurons, and is highly conserved across mammals and other vertebrates. It shares homology with galanin receptors but does not respond robustly to galanin, and its endogenous ligand remains unidentified. Functionally, GPR151 localizes to presynaptic components, coupling to Gαo1 protein to modulate neurotransmitter release and cAMP signaling. Emerging research suggests a role in modulating nicotine intake, pain processing, and reward-related behaviors, making it a potential therapeutic target for addiction and neuropsychiatric disorders. However, translational and knockout studies in humans and rodents show limited evidence for its involvement in obesity or Type 2 diabetes. Drug discovery efforts are ongoing, though a lack of reliable ligands and unresolved structure delay clinical translation.
- Other names
- G-protein coupled receptor 151GPR151PGR7GALR4GALRLGPCR-2037Galanin receptor 4Galanin-receptor-like protein
02
Mechanism of action
Putative small molecule modulators may act as agonists or antagonists, regulating GPR151-mediated inhibition of cAMP signaling and presynaptic neurotransmitter release; impact on nicotine-related behaviors has been documented in knockout and viral reexpression studies
03
Biological functions
Signal transductionModulation of synaptic vesicle releaseRegulation of neurotransmitter releasecAMP signalingModulation of pain and reward pathwaysLikely involved in nicotine intake and aversion
04
Disease associations
Addiction (notably nicotine dependence)Pain (neuropathic and inflammatory pain, though knockout studies question a critical modulatory role)Obesity and metabolic disorders (human loss-of-function studies suggest minimal clinical relevance for obesity or Type 2 diabetes)Potential involvement in neuropsychiatric disorders due to habenular localization
05
Safety considerations
The physiological role of GPR151 is still incompletely defined; lack of endogenous ligand and absence of a solved crystal structure pose significant drug discovery challengesKnockout studies suggest minimal direct involvement in pain or metabolic regulation, indicating low risk for loss-of-function but potentially limited efficacy for therapeutics targeting obesity or neuropathic pain
06
Interacting drugs
No approved drugs currently known to interact directly with GPR151; it is the subject of ongoing research for the development of modulators (agonists/antagonists) targeting addiction and metabolic disorders
07
Biomarkers
Expression of GPR151 mRNA/protein in habenula, dorsal root ganglia, and spinal cordUpregulation in dorsal root ganglia post-nerve injury (although without observed behavioral change)
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