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OXTR oxytocin receptor [ Homo sapiens (human) ]

Gene ID: 5021, updated on 9-Sep-2025
Official Symbol
OXTRprovided by HGNC
Official Full Name
oxytocin receptorprovided by HGNC
Primary source
HGNC:HGNC:8529
See related
Ensembl:ENSG00000180914 MIM:167055; AllianceGenome:HGNC:8529
Gene type
protein coding
RefSeq status
REVIEWED
Organism
Homo sapiens
Lineage
Eukaryota; Metazoa; Chordata; Craniata; Vertebrata; Euteleostomi; Mammalia; Eutheria; Euarchontoglires; Primates; Haplorrhini; Catarrhini; Hominidae; Homo
Also known as
OTR; OT-R
Summary
The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor family and acts as a receptor for oxytocin. Its activity is mediated by G proteins which activate a phosphatidylinositol-calcium second messenger system. The oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system plays an important role in the uterus during parturition. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Expression
Broad expression in ovary (RPKM 1.0), endometrium (RPKM 1.0) and 16 other tissues See more
Orthologs
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See OXTR in Genome Data Viewer
Location:
3p25.3
Exon count:
7
Annotation release Status Assembly Chr Location
RS_2025_08 current GRCh38.p14 (GCF_000001405.40) 3 NC_000003.12 (8741269..8769613, complement)
RS_2025_08 current T2T-CHM13v2.0 (GCF_009914755.1) 3 NC_060927.1 (8741551..8760789, complement)
RS_2024_09 previous assembly GRCh37.p13 (GCF_000001405.25) 3 NC_000003.11 (8792067..8811299, complement)

Chromosome 3 - NC_000003.12Genomic Context describing neighboring genes Neighboring gene H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr3:8664536-8665156 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 19390 Neighboring gene ssu-2 homolog Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 19391 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 19392 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 19393 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 14028 Neighboring gene olfactory receptor family 7 subfamily E member 122 pseudogene Neighboring gene MPRA-validated peak4531 silencer Neighboring gene NANOG hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr3:8765327-8765828 Neighboring gene caveolin 3 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr3:8808751-8809422 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 14029 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr3:8810095-8810766 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 19394 Neighboring gene uncharacterized LOC107986061 Neighboring gene uncharacterized LOC107984112

Go to nucleotide: Graphics FASTA GenBank

  • Project title: Tissue-specific circular RNA induction during human fetal development
  • Description: 35 human fetal samples from 6 tissues (3 - 7 replicates per tissue) collected between 10 and 20 weeks gestational time were sequenced using Illumina TruSeq Stranded Total RNA
  • BioProject: PRJNA270632
  • Publication: PMID 26076956
  • Analysis date: Mon Apr 2 22:54:59 2018

Related articles in PubMed

  1. Methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene in clinically depressed patients compared to controls: The role of OXTR rs53576 genotype. Reiner I, et al. J Psychiatr Res, 2015 Jun. PMID 25890851
  2. Oxytocin receptor gene methylation: converging multilevel evidence for a role in social anxiety. Ziegler C, et al. Neuropsychopharmacology, 2015 May. PMID 25563749, Free PMC Article
  3. Distress of ostracism: oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism confers sensitivity to social exclusion. McQuaid RJ, et al. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci, 2015 Aug. PMID 25564674, Free PMC Article
  4. Oxytocin expression and function in the posterior retina: a novel signaling pathway. Halbach P, et al. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 2015 Jan 15. PMID 25593022, Free PMC Article
  5. Sensitivity in detecting facial displays of emotion: Impact of maternal depression and oxytocin receptor genotype. Burkhouse KL, et al. Cogn Emot, 2016. PMID 25622005, Free PMC Article

See all (444) citations in PubMed

GeneRIFs: Gene References Into Functions

What's a GeneRIF?
  1. Oxytocin/Oxytocin Receptor Signalling in the Gastrointestinal System: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential.
    Title: Oxytocin/Oxytocin Receptor Signalling in the Gastrointestinal System: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential.
  2. Parent-Adolescent Conflict, Peer Victimization, and Internet Gaming Disorder Among Chinese Adolescents: The Moderating Effect of OXTR Gene rs53576 Polymorphism.
    Title: Parent-Adolescent Conflict, Peer Victimization, and Internet Gaming Disorder Among Chinese Adolescents: The Moderating Effect of OXTR Gene rs53576 Polymorphism.
  3. A Common OXTR Risk Variant Alters Regulation of Gene Expression by DNA Hydroxymethylation in Pregnant Human Myometrium.
    Title: A Common OXTR Risk Variant Alters Regulation of Gene Expression by DNA Hydroxymethylation in Pregnant Human Myometrium.
  4. Maternal Body Mass Index, Myometrium Contractility and Uterotonic Receptor Expression in Pregnancy.
    Title: Maternal Body Mass Index, Myometrium Contractility and Uterotonic Receptor Expression in Pregnancy.
  5. Grandmotherhood is associated with reduced OXTR DNA methylation.
    Title: Grandmotherhood is associated with reduced OXTR DNA methylation.
  6. Exploring the role of OXTR gene methylation in attachment development: A longitudinal study.
    Title: Exploring the role of OXTR gene methylation in attachment development: A longitudinal study.
  7. Patterns of neural activity in response to threatening faces are predictive of autistic traits: modulatory effects of oxytocin receptor genotype.
    Title: Patterns of neural activity in response to threatening faces are predictive of autistic traits: modulatory effects of oxytocin receptor genotype.
  8. The impact of childhood trauma exposure on social functioning in schizophrenia: the moderated mediation role of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms.
    Title: The impact of childhood trauma exposure on social functioning in schizophrenia: the moderated mediation role of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms.
  9. Decreased oxytocin plasma levels and oxytocin receptor expression associated with aggressive behavior in aggressive-impulsive disorders.
    Title: Decreased oxytocin plasma levels and oxytocin receptor expression associated with aggressive behavior in aggressive-impulsive disorders.
  10. Association of verbal and non-verbal theory of mind abilities with non-coding variants of OXTR in youth with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing individuals: a case-control study.
    Title: Association of verbal and non-verbal theory of mind abilities with non-coding variants of OXTR in youth with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing individuals: a case-control study.
Submit: New GeneRIF Correction See all GeneRIFs (411)

Find tests for this gene in the NIH Genetic Testing Registry (GTR)

Review eQTL and phenotype association data in this region using PheGenI

EBI GWAS Catalog

Description
Genome-wide association study of comorbid depressive syndrome and alcohol dependence.
EBI GWAS Catalog

See variants in ClinVar

See studies and variants in dbVar

See Variation Viewer (GRCh37.p13)

See Variation Viewer (GRCh38)

Products Interactant Other Gene Complex Source Pubs Description

Markers

Homology

Gene Ontology Provided by GOA

Function Evidence Code Pubs
enables G protein-coupled receptor activity IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
enables oxytocin receptor activity IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
enables oxytocin receptor activity IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
enables oxytocin receptor activity TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
enables vasopressin receptor activity IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
enables vasopressin receptor activity IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
Process Evidence Code Pubs
involved_in G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
involved_in G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in cell surface receptor signaling pathway TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in cellular response to hormone stimulus IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
involved_in female pregnancy IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
involved_in female pregnancy TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in lactation TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in maternal process involved in parturition IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
involved_in muscle contraction TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
acts_upstream_of_or_within positive regulation of blood pressure IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in positive regulation of cold-induced thermogenesis IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in positive regulation of cold-induced thermogenesis ISS
Inferred from Sequence or Structural Similarity
more info
 PubMed 
involved_in positive regulation of vasoconstriction IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
involved_in regulation of biological quality IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in regulation of systemic arterial blood pressure by vasopressin IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
involved_in signal transduction IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
involved_in system process IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
Component Evidence Code Pubs
located_in membrane IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
is_active_in plasma membrane IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
  
located_in plasma membrane IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
  
located_in plasma membrane TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 PubMed 
Preferred Names
oxytocin receptor

NEW Try the new Transcript table

RefSeqs maintained independently of Annotated Genomes

These reference sequences exist independently of genome builds. Explain

These reference sequences are curated independently of the genome annotation cycle, so their versions may not match the RefSeq versions in the current genome build. Identify version mismatches by comparing the version of the RefSeq in this section to the one reported in Genomic regions, transcripts, and products above.

mRNA and Protein(s)

  1. NM_000916.4 → NP_000907.2  oxytocin receptor

    See identical proteins and their annotated locations for NP_000907.2

    Status: REVIEWED

    Description
    Transcript Variant: This variant (1) represents the longest transcript. Variants 1-5 all encode the same protein.
    Source sequence(s)
    AC068312
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS2570.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    P30559, Q15071
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    B2R9L7
    Related
    ENSP00000324270.2, ENST00000316793.8
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    cd15387
    Location:40 → 340
    7tmA_OT_R; oxytocin receptor, member of the class A family of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors

  2. NM_001354653.2 → NP_001341582.1  oxytocin receptor

    Status: REVIEWED

    Description
    Transcript Variant: This variant (2) differs in the 5' UTR compared to variant 1. Variants 1-5 all encode the same protein.
    Source sequence(s)
    AC068312
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS2570.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    P30559, Q15071
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    B2R9L7
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    cd15387
    Location:40 → 340
    7tmA_OT_R; oxytocin receptor, member of the class A family of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors

  3. NM_001354654.2 → NP_001341583.1  oxytocin receptor

    Status: REVIEWED

    Description
    Transcript Variant: This variant (3) differs in the 5' UTR compared to variant 1. Variants 1-5 all encode the same protein.
    Source sequence(s)
    AC068312
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS2570.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    P30559, Q15071
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    B2R9L7
    Related
    ENSP00000564748.1, ENST00000894689.1
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    cd15387
    Location:40 → 340
    7tmA_OT_R; oxytocin receptor, member of the class A family of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors

  4. NM_001354655.2 → NP_001341584.1  oxytocin receptor

    Status: REVIEWED

    Description
    Transcript Variant: This variant (4) differs in the 5' UTR compared to variant 1. Variants 1-5 all encode the same protein.
    Source sequence(s)
    AC068312
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS2570.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    P30559, Q15071
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    B2R9L7
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    cd15387
    Location:40 → 340
    7tmA_OT_R; oxytocin receptor, member of the class A family of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors

  5. NM_001354656.3 → NP_001341585.1  oxytocin receptor

    Status: REVIEWED

    Description
    Transcript Variant: This variant (5) differs in the 5' UTR compared to variant 1. Variants 1-5 all encode the same protein.
    Source sequence(s)
    AC068312
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS2570.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    P30559, Q15071
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    B2R9L7
    Related
    ENSP00000564749.1, ENST00000894690.1
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    cd15387
    Location:40 → 340
    7tmA_OT_R; oxytocin receptor, member of the class A family of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors

RefSeqs of Annotated Genomes: GCF_000001405.40-RS_2025_08

The following sections contain reference sequences that belong to a specific genome build. Explain

Reference GRCh38.p14 Primary Assembly

Genomic

  1. NC_000003.12 Reference GRCh38.p14 Primary Assembly

    Range
    8741269..8769613 complement
    Download
    GenBank, FASTA, Sequence Viewer (Graphics)

RNA

  1. XR_007095681.1 RNA Sequence

Alternate T2T-CHM13v2.0

Genomic

  1. NC_060927.1 Alternate T2T-CHM13v2.0

    Range
    8741551..8760789 complement
    Download
    GenBank, FASTA, Sequence Viewer (Graphics)
Nucleotide Protein
Heading Accession and Version
Protein Accession Links
GenPept Link UniProtKB Link
P30559.2 GenPept UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot:P30559

Gene LinkOut

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