Latest revision as of 14:23, 21 February 2025

LGR5[edit]

LGR5 (Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the LGR5 gene. It is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily and is known for its role as a marker of adult stem cells in various tissues.

Function[edit]

LGR5 is primarily recognized for its role in identifying adult stem cells in the small intestine, colon, hair follicle, and other tissues. It is a receptor for R-spondins, which are proteins that potentiate Wnt signaling, a pathway crucial for stem cell maintenance and proliferation.

Expression[edit]

LGR5 is expressed in the crypt base columnar cells of the small intestine and colon, which are known to be stem cells responsible for the continuous renewal of the intestinal epithelium. In the hair follicle, LGR5 is expressed in the bulge region, which contains stem cells that contribute to hair growth and regeneration.

Role in Stem Cells[edit]

LGR5+ cells have been identified as multipotent stem cells capable of giving rise to all cell types within their respective tissues. In the intestine, LGR5+ stem cells are responsible for the rapid turnover of the intestinal lining, while in the hair follicle, they contribute to the cyclic regeneration of hair.

Clinical Significance[edit]

LGR5 has been implicated in cancer research, as its expression is often upregulated in various cancers, including colorectal cancer. The presence of LGR5+ cells in tumors suggests a role in cancer stem cell biology, where these cells may contribute to tumor growth and resistance to therapy.

Research[edit]

Ongoing research is focused on understanding the precise mechanisms by which LGR5+ stem cells contribute to tissue homeostasis and regeneration, as well as their role in cancer. Targeting LGR5+ cells in cancer therapy is an area of active investigation, with the aim of developing treatments that can selectively eliminate cancer stem cells.

Related pages[edit]

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-{{Short description|An overview of the LGR5 gene and its significance in stem cell biology and cancer research}}
+= LGR5 =
-==LGR5==
+[[File:Small_intestine_low_mag.jpg|thumb|right|Micrograph of the small intestine, where LGR5+ stem cells are found.]]
-'''LGR5''' (Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5) is a protein encoded by the '''LGR5''' gene in humans. It is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily and is characterized by the presence of leucine-rich repeats. LGR5 is a significant marker in the field of stem cell biology and cancer research due to its role in identifying adult stem cells in various tissues.
-==Structure and Function==
+'''LGR5''' (Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the '''LGR5''' gene. It is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily and is known for its role as a marker of adult stem cells in various tissues.
-LGR5 is a transmembrane receptor that belongs to the class A rhodopsin-like family of GPCRs. It is composed of an extracellular domain with multiple leucine-rich repeats, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain. The primary function of LGR5 is to act as a receptor for R-spondins, which are secreted proteins that potentiate Wnt signaling, a critical pathway for cell proliferation and differentiation.
-===Role in Stem Cells===
+== Function ==
-LGR5 is widely recognized as a marker for adult stem cells in several tissues, including the intestinal epithelium, hair follicles, and the stomach. In the intestinal epithelium, LGR5+ stem cells are located at the base of the crypts of Lieberkühn and are responsible for the continuous renewal of the intestinal lining. These stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into all cell types of the intestinal epithelium, making them crucial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis.
+LGR5 is primarily recognized for its role in identifying adult stem cells in the [[small intestine]], [[colon]], [[hair follicle]], and other tissues. It is a receptor for [[R-spondins]], which are proteins that potentiate [[Wnt signaling]], a pathway crucial for stem cell maintenance and proliferation.
-[[File:Intestinal crypts.png|thumb|right|Diagram of intestinal crypts showing LGR5+ stem cells at the base.]]
+== Expression ==
+LGR5 is expressed in the crypt base columnar cells of the small intestine and colon, which are known to be stem cells responsible for the continuous renewal of the intestinal epithelium. In the [[hair follicle]], LGR5 is expressed in the bulge region, which contains stem cells that contribute to hair growth and regeneration.
-===Role in Cancer===
+== Role in Stem Cells ==
-LGR5 has been implicated in cancer, particularly in colorectal cancer. The overexpression of LGR5 is often observed in cancerous tissues, and it is thought to contribute to tumorigenesis by promoting the proliferation of cancer stem cells. These cancer stem cells are believed to be responsible for tumor initiation, progression, and recurrence after treatment.
+LGR5+ cells have been identified as multipotent stem cells capable of giving rise to all cell types within their respective tissues. In the intestine, LGR5+ stem cells are responsible for the rapid turnover of the intestinal lining, while in the hair follicle, they contribute to the cyclic regeneration of hair.
-==Clinical Implications==
+[[File:Hair_follicle-en.svg|thumb|left|Diagram of a hair follicle, showing the location of LGR5+ stem cells in the bulge region.]]
-The identification of LGR5 as a stem cell marker has significant clinical implications. In cancer therapy, targeting LGR5+ cancer stem cells could lead to more effective treatments by eradicating the cells responsible for tumor growth and resistance to conventional therapies. Additionally, understanding the role of LGR5 in normal stem cell biology could lead to advances in regenerative medicine, such as the development of stem cell-based therapies for tissue repair and regeneration.
-==Research and Developments==
+== Clinical Significance ==
-Ongoing research is focused on elucidating the precise mechanisms by which LGR5 regulates stem cell function and its role in cancer. Studies are also exploring the potential of LGR5 as a therapeutic target, with the aim of developing drugs that can specifically target LGR5+ cells in tumors.
+LGR5 has been implicated in cancer research, as its expression is often upregulated in various cancers, including colorectal cancer. The presence of LGR5+ cells in tumors suggests a role in cancer stem cell biology, where these cells may contribute to tumor growth and resistance to therapy.
-==Related pages==
+== Research ==
+Ongoing research is focused on understanding the precise mechanisms by which LGR5+ stem cells contribute to tissue homeostasis and regeneration, as well as their role in cancer. Targeting LGR5+ cells in cancer therapy is an area of active investigation, with the aim of developing treatments that can selectively eliminate cancer stem cells.
+== Related pages ==
+* [[Wnt signaling pathway]]
 * [[Stem cell]]
-* [[Wnt signaling pathway]]
+* [[G-protein coupled receptor]]
-* [[Cancer stem cell]]
 * [[Colorectal cancer]]
-[[Category:Stem cell biology]]
+[[Category:Stem cells]]
-[[Category:Oncology]]
+[[Category:G protein-coupled receptors]]
 [[Category:Human proteins]]

LGR5: Difference between revisions