Differential stimulation of somatostatin but not neuropeptide Y gene expression by quinolinic acid in cultured cortical neurons.

Somatostatin (SS) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are coproduced in a subpopulation of neurons that are selectively resistant to NMDA neurotoxicity. We have previously reported that quinolinic acid (QUIN), an NMDA receptor agonist, augments SS mRNA in cultured fetal rat cortical neurons. This study examines coregulation of SS and NPY by QUIN and NMDA in cultured cortical neurons and compares the effects of these agents with those of forskolin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), known to activate SS and NPY gene transcription by protein kinase A- and protein kinase C-dependent mechanisms.

Molecular cloning, functional characterization, and chromosomal localization of a human somatostatin receptor (somatostatin receptor type 5) with preferential affinity for somatostatin-28.

Using a combination of polymerase chain reaction and genomic library screening we have cloned a human gene for a subtype of the somatostatin (SST) receptor (SSTR) termed human SSTR5 (hSSTR5), which is located on chromosome 16. The predicted amino acid sequence of hSSTR5 displays 75% sequence identity with a recently identified rat SSTR [Mol. Pharmacol.

All five cloned human somatostatin receptors (hSSTR1-5) are functionally coupled to adenylyl cyclase.

Recent reports have suggested that only some of the cloned somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) are coupled to adenylyl cyclase. These studies have used both stable and transiently transfected cells or cells lacking appropriate Gi alpha and are controversial. To investigate SSTR signalling mechanisms, we have established stably transfected CHO-K1 cells expressing human genes for SSTR1-5.