Probable G protein-coupled receptor 160 (GPR160)

Probable G protein-coupled receptor 160 (GPR160) is an orphan receptor protein of the GPCR superfamily, encoded in humans by the GPR160 gene (located at chromosome 3q26.2-q27), with a predicted length of 338 amino acids[1][4][5]. It is primarily classified as a class A (rhodopsin-like) GPCR. GPR160 is a membrane receptor, widely expressed with tissue-specific abundance, especially in reproductive organs and the gastrointestinal tract[1]. It is upregulated in several cancers, notably prostate cancer, with higher expression correlating with tumorigenic behavior and poor prognosis[1][3]. In experimental cellular and animal models, knockdown of GPR160 leads to cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis (mediated notably by caspase-1 and IL-6 upregulation), and growth inhibition in prostate cancer cells[1]. GPR160 has also been implicated in neuropathic pain perception and embryonic stem cell development[2]. As an orphan receptor, its endogenous ligand is unknown, which presents both challenges and opportunities for therapeutic discovery. There are currently no approved small-molecule drugs known to modulate GPR160 activity directly[1][3].

Other names

GPCR150hGPCR1GPCR1putative G protein-coupled receptor 160G-protein coupled receptor GPCR1probable G-protein coupled receptor 160G-protein coupled receptor 160

Drugs (e.g., shRNA/siRNA) that knock down GPR160 expression induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in certain cancer cell models, notably prostate cancer[1]. Caspase activation (particularly caspase 1, with involvement of caspases 3, 7, and 9 in some contexts) downstream of GPR160 depletion[1].