Neurotensin and neurotensin receptors.

Neurotensin is a brain and gastrointestinal peptide that fulfils many central and peripheral functions through its interaction with specific receptors. Three subtypes of neurotensin receptors have been cloned. Two of them belong to the family of G protein-coupled receptors, whereas the third one is an entirely new type of neuropeptide receptor and is identical to gp95/sortilin, a 100 kDa-protein with a single transmembrane domain. In this review, the present knowledge regarding the molecular and pharmacological properties of the three cloned neurotensin receptors is summarized and the relationship between these receptors and the known pharmacological effects of neurotensin is discussed.