title: Advances in understanding neuronal somatostatin receptors.
abstract: It has long been considered that somatostatin acts as a neuromodulator in the mammalian central nervous system but its precise physiological roles remain elusive. Early studies to identify somatostatin-binding sites revealed a widespread heterogeneous pattern, especially in the CNS. More recently, a family of somatostatin receptors have been identified, of which five genes (sst(1-5)) have been cloned. In this review, we discuss current data describing the localisation of the five receptor types. Recent progress in understanding their function has been made using high-affinity, selective receptor ligands and transgenic animal technology. Finally, the therapeutic potential for somatostatin receptor-selective compounds as analgesics is considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Hall, CB2 4EF, Cambridge, UK. inger-sofie.selmer@bbsrc.ac.uk
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Selmer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Humphrey
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Emson
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia; D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin; D013004:Somatostatin