Neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1) is one of three receptors that mediate the effects of the tridecapeptide neurotensin. Neurotensin is synthesized and secreted from neurons in the central neural system (CNS) and from endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract.
NTS1 and NTS2 belong to the 7-transmembrane domain, G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily while the third neurotensin receptor NTS3 (also called Sortilin) is a type I membrane protein with a large extracellular domain. Both NTS1 and NTS3 bind neurotensin with high affinity while NTS2 binds it with low affinity.1
NTS1 signals preferentially through Gaq, resulting in the activation phopholipase C and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, although coupling with Gi/o and to Gs has been observed in some expression systems.
NTS1 is mainly expressed in the brain and gastrointestinal tract. In the brain, NTS1 mediates body temperature regulation, feeding behavior and locomotion regulation. One of the best studied roles of NTS1 is the regulation of dopamine release suggesting that NTS1 can be a suitable target for the development of a new class of anti-psychotics.2
In the periphery, NTS1 expression has been linked to the control of intestine motility and in the stimulation of growth of the intestine mucosa in both physiological and pathological conditions. NTS1 has been shown to be upregulated in several human cancers where it stimulates tumor growth in response to locally produced neurotensin peptide.3
Alomone Labs is pleased to offer a highly specific antibody directed against an epitope at the extracellular 2nd loop of the human NTS1. Anti-Neurotensin Receptor-1 (extracellular) antibody (#AG1174) can be used in Western blot analysis, immunohistochemical, immunocytochemical, and flow cytometry applications.
