G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important mediators of signal transduction and targets for pharmacological therapeutics. Novel receptor-ligand systems have been discovered through the identification and analysis of orphan GPCRs (oGPCRs). Here we describe the discovery of seven novel human genes encoding oGPCRs. Each novel oGPCR gene was discovered using customized searches of the GenBank genomic databases with previously known GPCR-encoding sequences. The expressed genes can now be used in assays to determine endogenous and pharmacological ligands. GPR133, GPR134, GPR135, GPR136, and GPR137 share identities with a prostate-specific odorant-like GPCR-encoding gene (PSGR). GPR138 and GPR139 share identities with an odorant-like gene derived from human erythroid cells. Transcripts encoding GPR133, GPR134, GPR135, GPR136, and GPR137 were detected in various CNS tissues. The expression of odorant-like genes in non-olfactory tissues requires further clarification, which may be achieved through the search for endogenous cognate ligands for these and other oGPCRs.
Amino Acid Sequence Cloning, Molecular