| Primary Identifier | IPR001642 | Type | Family |
| Short Name | NeuroB_rcpt |
| description | G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute a vast protein family that encompasses a wide range of functions, including various autocrine, paracrine and endocrine processes. They show considerable diversity at the sequence level, on the basis of which they can be separated into distinct groups []. The term clan can be used to describe the GPCRs, as they embrace a group of families for which there are indications of evolutionary relationship, but between which there is no statistically significant similarity in sequence []. The currently known clan members include rhodopsin-like GPCRs (Class A, GPCRA), secretin-like GPCRs (Class B, GPCRB), metabotropic glutamate receptor family (Class C, GPCRC), fungal mating pheromone receptors (Class D, GPCRD), cAMP receptors (Class E, GPCRE) and frizzled/smoothened (Class F, GPCRF) [, , , , ]. GPCRs are major drug targets, and are consequently the subject of considerable research interest. It has been reported that the repertoire of GPCRs for endogenous ligands consists of approximately 400 receptors in humans and mice []. Most GPCRs are identified on the basis of their DNA sequences, rather than the ligand they bind, those that are unmatched to known natural ligands are designated by as orphan GPCRs, or unclassified GPCRs [].The rhodopsin-like GPCRs (GPCRA) represent a widespread protein family that includes hormone, neurotransmitter and light receptors, all of which transduce extracellular signals through interaction with guanine nucleotide-binding (G) proteins. Although their activating ligands vary widely in structure and character, the amino acid sequences of the receptors are very similar and are believed to adopt a common structural framework comprising 7 transmembrane (TM) helices [, , ].Bombesins are peptide neurotransmitters whose biological activity residesin a common C-terminal sequence, WAXGHXM. In the periphery, bombesin-related peptides stimulate smooth muscle and glandular secretion. In thebrain, these peptides are believed to play a role in homeostasis, thermoregulation and metabolism, and have been reported to elicit analgesia andexcessive grooming, together with central regulation of a variety ofperipheral effects.Mammalian bombesins are encoded by 2 genes. The preproGRP gene transcriptencodes a precursor of 147 amino acids, which gives GRP and GRP18-27. ThepreproNMB gene transcript encodes a precursor of 117 amino acids, which ismetabolised to neuromedin B. Receptors for these peptides have widespreaddistribution in peripheral tissue. High levels are found in smooth muscleand in the brain.The neuromedin B receptor has been characterised in rat oesophagus and raturinary bladder. It is widespread in the CNS, and is found in highlevels in olfactory nucleus and thalamic regions, and in lower levels inthe frontal cortex, dendate gyrus, amygdala and dorsal raphe. Thereceptor activates the phosphoinositide pathway through a pertussis-toxin-insensitive G-protein, probably of the Gq/G11 class. |
