neurotensin receptors and related G protein-coupled receptors, member of the class A family of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors
This subfamily includes the neurotensin receptors and related G-protein coupled receptors, including neuromedin U receptors, growth hormone secretagogue receptor, motilin receptor, the putative GPR39 and the capa receptors from insects. These receptors all bind peptide hormones with diverse physiological effects. All GPCRs have a common structural architecture comprising of seven-transmembrane (TM) alpha-helices interconnected by three extracellular and three intracellular loops. A general feature of GPCR signaling is agonist-induced conformational changes in the receptors, leading to activation of the heterotrimeric G proteins, which consist of the guanine nucleotide-binding G-alpha subunit and the dimeric G-beta-gamma subunits. The activated G proteins then bind to and activate numerous downstream effector proteins, which generate second messengers that mediate a broad range of cellular and physiological processes.