Urotensin II is a very powerful vasoconstrictive substance. The human Urotensin II receptor (UTIIR) was originally isolated as an orphan receptor (GPR14) in neural and sensory tissues.1,2 Urotensin II is expressed in various human tissues such as CNS, skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, pancreas, and heart.3-5 Binding of Urotensin II to the receptor leads to activation of phospholipase C. The resulting increase in intracellular Ca2+ may cause the contraction of vascular smooth muscle. ERK1/2 phophorylation may also be involved in mediating the biological activities of urotensin II.6 Recently, evidence has accumulated indicating that Urotensin II is also expressed in various kinds of tumor cells such as of adrenal tumors and neuroblastomas. In those cells Urotensin II was reported to stimulate cell growth.7-9
Alomone Labs is pleased to offer a highly specific antibody directed against the 2nd cytoplasmic loop of the rat UTIIR. Anti-Urontenisn II Receptor antibody (#AG1284) can be used in Western blot anlaysis and immunohistochemical applications, and recognizes UTIIR in rat samples.
