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 members of the G-coupled protein receptor family from rat hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei. We report here a novel clone, UHR-1, which encodes a candidate receptor that is most similar to the neuropeptide receptor family, including the tachykinins, somatostatins, and opioids. Message for this putative receptor is expressed in several brain regions, with the highest levels in pituitary, cerebellum, and hypothalamus. No message was detected in peripheral tissues. Southern blot analysis suggests that UHR-1 is likely a member of a multigene family. The natural ligand for this novel receptor is unknown, but based on sequence homology and structural features is likely to be a peptide.