Genomic analyses of the evolution of LGR genes.

Recent completion of the sequencing of genomes from several mammals, teleosts and invertebrates has shown that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the conserved groups of cell surface receptors with an ancient origin. GPCRs play important roles in diverse physiological functions and are the most important targets for pharmaceutical discoveries. Recent work based on the search for gene with structural similarity to LH, FSH and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors in diverse genomes has led to the identification of a group of GPCRs called Leucine-rich repeat-containing, G protein-coupled Receptor (LGR). We present the genomic analyses of the evolution of LGR genes in the literature.