Neurotensin receptor type 2 is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''NTSR2''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "...Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a ba ...
.
Function
The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor family that activates a phosphatidylinositol-calcium second messenger system. Binding and pharmacological studies demonstrate that this receptor binds neurotensin as well as several other ligands already described for neurotensin NT1 receptor. However, unlike NT1 receptor, this gene recognizes, with high affinity,
levocabastine, a histamine H1 receptor antagonist previously shown to compete with neurotensin for low-affinity binding sites in the brain. These activities suggest that this receptor may be of physiological importance and that a natural agonist for the receptor may exist.
See also
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Neurotensin receptor
Neurotensin receptors are transmembrane receptors that bind the neurotransmitter neurotensin. Two of the receptors encoded by the and genes contain seven transmembrane helices and are G protein coupled. Numerous crystal structures have been ...
References
Further reading
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External links
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G protein-coupled receptors
{{transmembranereceptor-stub