Extensive alternative splicing in the 5 '-untranslated region of the rat and human neuropeptide YY5 receptor genes regulates receptor expression

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) elicits a plethora of physiological effects by interac ting with several distinct G protein-coupled receptors. Activation of one o f these receptors, the NPY Y, receptor, is thought to result in increased f ood intake, anticonvulsant effects, attenuation of opiate withdrawal, inhib ition of neuronal activity, and alteration of renal function. Several alter natively spliced human and rat NPY Y, receptor cDNAs have been isolated tha t use different combinations of exons in the 5'-untranslated region. The va rious human NPY Y, receptor cDNAs appear to be differentially expressed in different brain regions. The level of human NPY Y, receptor expressed trans iently in COS1 cells was significantly influenced by the sequence of the 5' -untranslated region. These results indicate that alternative splicing in t he 5'-untranslated region of the human and rat NPY Y, receptor genes occurs in a tissue-specific manner and is one mechanism by which cells control th e level of NPY Y, receptor expression.