Advances in understanding neuronal somatostatin receptors

It has long been considered that somatostatin acts as a neuromodulator in t he mammalian central nervous system but its precise physiological roles rem ain elusive. Early studies to identify somatostatin-binding sites revealed a widespread heterogeneous pattern, especially in the CNS. More recently, a family of somatostatin receptors have been identified, of which five genes (sst(1-5)) have been cloned. In this review, we discuss current data descr ibing the localisation of the five receptor types. Recent progress in under standing their function has been made using high-affinity, selective recept or ligands and transgenic animal technology. Finally, the therapeutic poten tial for somatostatin receptor-selective compounds as analgesics is conside red. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.