Neurotensin （NTS） is a common precursor for 2 peptides， neuromedin N and neurotensin. Neurotensin is a secreted tridecapeptide， which is generally distributed throughout the central nervous system， and may serve as a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator. NTS is involved in dopamine-associated pathophysiological events， in the maintenance of gut structure and function， and in the regulation of fat metabolism. Tissue-specific processing may initiate the formation in some tissues of larger forms of neuromedin N and neurotensin. The large forms may embody more stable peptides which are also biologically active.
