Prokineticin Receptor 2 (PKR2)

Prokineticins are secreted proteins that can promote angiogenesis and induce strong gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction. The protein encoded by this gene is an integral membrane protein and G protein-coupled receptor for prokineticins. The encoded protein is similar in sequence to GPR73, another G protein-coupled receptor for prokineticins.

Lin et al. (2002) cloned human GPR73L1 (PROKR2) by PCR of a pooled testis and fetal brain cDNA library. They also cloned GPR73 (PROKR1), which shares 85% overall sequence identity with GPR73L1. The greatest divergence between the proteins is in the N terminus, and both share about 80% sequence identity with mouse Gpr73. RT-PCR detected expression of GPR73L1 in brain, testis, small intestine, ovary, thyroid, pituitary, and salivary gland.