G Protein Coupled Receptor 131 (GPR131)

The G protein-coupled bile acid receptor is a G-protein coupled receptor which binds bile acids. One effect of this receptor is to activate deiodinases which convert the prohormone thyroxine (T₄) to the active hormone triiodothyronine (T₃). T₃ in turn activates the thyroid hormone receptor which increases metabolic rate.

This gene encodes a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. This enzyme functions as a cell surface receptor for bile acids. Treatment of cells expressing this GPCR with bile acids induces the production of intracellular cAMP, activation of a MAP kinase signaling pathway, and internalization of the receptor. The receptor is implicated in the suppression of macrophage functions and regulation of energy homeostasis by bile acids.