SEQUENCE AND TISSUE DISTRIBUTION OF A CANDIDATE G-COUPLED RECEPTOR CLONED FROM RAT HYPOTHALAMUS

We have used RT-PCR with degenerate transmembrane primers to clone mem bers of the G-coupled protein receptor family from rat hypothalamic su prachiasmatic nuclei. We report here a novel clone, UHR-1, which encod es a candidate receptor that is most similar to the neuropeptide recep tor family, including the tachykinins, somatostatins, and opioids. Mes sage for this putative receptor is expressed in several brain regions, with the highest levels in pituitary, cerebellum, and hypothalamus. N o message was detected in peripheral tissues. Southern blot analysis s uggests that UHR-1 is likely a member of a multigene family. The natur al ligand for this novel receptor is unknown, but based on sequence ho mology and structural features is likely to be a peptide. (C) 1995 Aca demic Press, Inc.