The <i>RLN3</i> gene has been recently reported as a ligand for two related orphan G protein-coupled receptors, <i>GPCR135</i> and <i>GPCR142</i> (BATHGATE et al., 2002; LIU et al., 2003a; LIU et al., 2003b; CHEN et al., 2005). Pharmacological studies of the <i>GPCR142</i> gene indicated that the <i>RLN3</i> gene is the only member of the <i>RLN</i> family showing the ability to activate this gene (BATHGATE et al., 2002). The <i>GPCR142</i> gene contains a single exon and is located on chromosome 1 (1q22) in human (FREDRIKSSON et al., 2003). It is expressed abundantly in the hypothalamus with discrete expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and supraoptic nucleus; as well as in the cortex, septal nucleus and preoptical area (LIU et al., 2003b). The functional roles of the <i>RLN3</i> gene and its receptors within the mammalian physiology are still unclear. <br><br> The objectives of this study were to characterize the <i>GPCR142</i> gene in pigs, to determine the chromosomal location and to analysis the expression profile in pigs.