GPR50

G protein-coupled receptor 50 is a is_associated_with::protein which in humans is encoded by the GPR50 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
GPR50 is a member of the is_associated_with::G protein-coupled receptor family of is_associated_with::integral membrane proteins and is most closely related to the is_associated_with::melatonin receptor. GPR50 is able to heterodimerize with both the MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptor subtypes. While GPR50 has no effect on MT2 function, GPR50 prevented MT1 from both binding is_associated_with::melatonin and coupling to is_associated_with::G proteins. GPR50 is the mammalian ortholog of melatonin receptor Mel1c described in non-mammalian vertebrates.

Clinical significance
Certain polymorphisms of the GPR50 gene in females are associated with increased risk of developing bipolar affective disorder, is_associated_with::major depressive disorder, and is_associated_with::schizophrenia. Other GPR50 gene polymorphism are associated with higher fasting circulating is_associated_with::triglyceride levels and lower circulating is_associated_with::High-density lipoprotein levels.