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The Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Physiology, and Pathophysiology¹

Institute of Reproductive Medicine of the University, Domagkstraße 11, D-48129 Münster, Germany

I. Introduction

II. Biochemical Properties of the FSH Receptor: A Historical Prelude

III. Molecular Structure of the FSH Receptor

A. Cloning of the FSH receptor

B. Predicted primary structure of the FSH receptor

C. Molecular mass of the FSH receptor

IV. The FSH Receptor Gene

A. Chromosomal localization

B. Structure and organization of the FSH receptor gene

C. The promoter of the FSH receptor gene

V. Expression of the FSH Receptor and Its Regulation

A. FSH receptor gene expression

B. Expression of the FSH receptor in the testis

C. Expression of the FSH receptor in the ovary

VI. Expression of the FSH Receptor in Cell Lines

A. Cell lines expressing the recombinant FSH receptor

B. Measurement of FSH by means of "recombinant" in vitro bioassays

C. FSH receptor function in cell lines

VII. Structure-Function Relationships and Models of FSH-FSH Receptor Interaction

A. General features

B. Structure-function relationships

C. Models of FSH-FSH receptor interaction

VIII. Signal Transduction and Postreceptor Events

A. Properties of FSH-receptor binding

B. Role of receptor glycosylation and "cryptic" receptors

C. Signal transduction

D. Receptor desensitization

E. Postreceptor events

IX. Inhibitors and Modulators of the FSH Receptor

X. Naturally Occurring Mutations of the FSH Receptor

A. Inactivating mutations

B. Activating mutations

C. Allelic variants

XI. Conclusions

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