Molecular cloning and characterization of two putative G protein-coupled receptors which are highly expressed in the central nervous system

Nan Leng, Guibao Gu, Richard B. Simerly, Eliot R. Spindel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have cloned from a rat hypothalamic cDNA library two closely related G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) which we have designated GPCR/CNS1 and GPCR/CNS2. The peptide sequences of these two G protein-coupled receptors shared 42% identity with each other and were next most closely related to the endothelin receptors and the bombesin-like peptide receptors (approximately 25% identity). Northern blot analysis showed that both GPCR/CNS1 and GPCR/CNS2 were very highly expressed in rat brain. In situ hybridization of rat brain demonstrated broad distribution of both receptors throughout the central nervous system. GPCR/CNS1 appeared to be expressed primarily in glial cells of the fiber tracts, while GPCR/CNS2 was expressed primarily in cells of the gray matter. The different distribution patterns of these two receptors in rat brain suggests distinct functional roles for each receptor in the central nervous system. Expression of these two receptors in Xenopus oocytes showed no response to any known endothelin and bombesin-like peptides. Therefore, the endogenous ligands and physiological significance of GPCR/CNS1 and GPCR/CNS2 remain to be elucidated, but may be related to the endothelins or bombesins. The very abundant expression in brain by these two receptors, however, suggests that they play important roles in the central nervous system. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)73-83
Number of pages11
JournalMolecular Brain Research
Volume69
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 21 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bombesin
  • CNS
  • Endothelin
  • G protein-coupled receptor
  • In situ hybridization
  • Neuropeptide
  • Orphan receptor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Molecular cloning and characterization of two putative G protein-coupled receptors which are highly expressed in the central nervous system'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this