Elsevier

Neuroscience

Volume 67, Issue 4, August 1995, Pages 777-790
Neuroscience

Molecular properties of somatostatin receptors

https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4522(95)00072-QGet rights and content
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Abstract

The neuropeptide somatostatin is widely distributed in the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues and may be involved in the regulation of a number of physiological functions including movement and cognition. Somatostatin may also have a role in the development of the central nervous system, in particular, the cerebellum and spinal cord. Somatostatin induces its actions by interacting with a family of membrane associated receptors. Recently, five somatostatin receptors have been cloned and referred to as SSTR1-SSTR5. The distribution of the expression of the mRNAs for these receptors are distinct but overlapping. Preliminary pharmacological analysis of these receptors may lead to the development of selective ligands at these receptors. These compounds may be useful in identifying the selective functions of these receptor subtypes. Some somatostatin analogues have antiproliferative actions and are used presently to treat carcinoids. Development of subtype selective somatostatin analogues could be helpful in further identifying somatostatin receptor-expressing tumors and in the treatment of cancer.

The cloning of these receptors has now opened up the possibility of more clearly investigating the functions of somatostatin in the brain and peripheral tissues and will facilitate the generation of new somatostatin drugs that may be employed for the treatment of a number of diseases.

BARK
beta-adrenergic receptor kinase
G-proteins
guanine nucleotide binding protein
Gi
inhibitory G-protein
Go
Brain derived G-protein
GRF
growth hormone releasing factor
NHE1
Na+/H+ exchanger
SRIF
somatostatin
SSTR
somatostatin receptor

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