LGR5

Function

Receptor for R-spondins that potentiates the canonical Wnt signaling pathway and acts as a stem cell marker of the intestinal epithelium and the hair follicle. Upon binding to R-spondins (RSPO1, RSPO2, RSPO3 or RSPO4), associates with phosphorylated LRP6 and frizzled receptors that are activated by extracellular Wnt receptors, triggering the canonical Wnt signaling pathway to increase expression of target genes. In contrast to classical G-protein coupled receptors, does not activate heterotrimeric G-proteins to transduce the signal. Involved in the development and/or maintenance of the adult intestinal stem cells during postembryonic development.

Sequence Similarities

Belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor 1 family.

Tissue Specificity

Expressed in skeletal muscle, placenta, spinal cord, and various region of brain. Expressed at the base of crypts in colonic and small mucosa stem cells. In premalignant cancer expression is not restricted to the cript base. Overexpressed in cancers of the ovary, colon and liver.

Cellular localization

• Cell membrane
• Multi-pass membrane protein
• Golgi apparatus
• trans-Golgi network membrane
• Multi-pass membrane protein
• Rapidly and constitutively internalized to the trans-Golgi network at steady state. Internalization to the trans-Golgi network may be the result of phosphorylation at Ser-861 and Ser-864; however, the phosphorylation event has not been proven (PubMed:23439653).

Alternative names

GPR49, GPR67, LGR5, Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5, G-protein coupled receptor 49, G-protein coupled receptor 67, G-protein coupled receptor HG38

Database links

swissprot:O75473 omim:606667 entrezGene:8549

Other research areas

• Immuno-oncology