The isolation and characterization of a novel G protein-coupled receptor regulated by immunologic challenge.
Using a degenerate PCR based approach, a fragment of the novel G protein-coupled receptor, VTR 15-20, was identified from the rat ventral tegmentum. Hybridization screening and RACE PCR were employed to isolate the full length clone. The cDNA encodes a protein of 305 amino acids which shares homology to several orphan as well as known G protein-coupled receptors. Amino acid analysis demonstrates the VTR 15-20 contains specific regions conserved among the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. Messenger RNA encoding VTR 15-20 is expressed throughout the mammalian nervous system. Using primary rat culture systems we have demonstrated the expression of VTR 15-20 mRNA in both microglia and astrocytes. The highest levels of VTR 15-20 mRNA expression are detected in peripheral tissues including the spleen. Moreover, we have found that the expression of VTR 15-20 mRNA in brain and spleen is regulated by immunologic challenge. Based on the cellular distribution and regulation by immune challenge and neuronal insult, we hypothesize that VTR 15-20 plays a role in neuroimmune function.
Charlton
M E
ME
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06508, USA.
Williams
A S
AS
Fogliano
M
M
Sweetnam
P M
PM
Duman
R S
RS
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015698:Genomic Library; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D051381:Rats; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D004247:DNA; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D007608:Kainic Acid