Scientific background: |
The tachykinin receptor 1 (TACR1) also known as neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) or substance P receptor (SPR) is a G protein coupled receptor found in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. The endogenous ligand for this receptor is Substance P, although it has some affinity for other tachykinins. The protein is the product of the TACR1 gene. Tachykinin receptor 1 consists of 407 amino acid residues, and it has a molecular weight of 58.000. Tachykinin receptor 1, as well as the other tachykinin receptors, is made of seven hydrophobic transmembrane (TM) domains with three extracellular and three intracellular loops, an amino-terminus and a cytoplasmic carboxy-terminus. The loops have functional sites, including two cysteines amino acids for a disulfide bridge, Asp-Arg-Tyr, which is responsible for association with arrestin and, Lys/Arg-Lys/Arg-X-X-Lys/Arg, which interacts with G-proteins.The tachykinin receptor 1 can be found in both the central and peripheral nervous system. It is present in neurons, brainstem, vascular endothelial cells, muscle, gastrointestinal tracts, genitourinary tract, pulmonary tissue, thyroid gland and different types of immune cells. The binding of SP to the tachykinin receptor 1 has been associated with the transmission of stress signals and pain, the contraction of smooth muscles and inflammation. Tachykinin receptor 1 antagonists have also been studied in migraine, emesis and psychiatric disorders. In fact, aprepitant has been proved effective in a number of pathophysiological models of anxiety and depression. Other diseases in which the tachykinin receptor 1 system is involved include asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and gastrointestinal disorders. |
References: |
1.Castagliuolo, I., Riegler, M., Pasha, A., Nikulasson, S., Lu, B., Gerard, C., Gerard, N. P., Pothoulakis, C.Neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor is required in Clostridium difficile-induced enteritis.J. Clin. Invest. 101: 1547-1550, 1998.
2.George, D. T., Gilman, J., Hersh, J., Thorsell, A., Herion, D., Geyer, C., Peng, X., Kielbasa, W., Rawlings, R., Brandt, J. E., Gehlert, D. R., Tauscher, J. T., Hunt, S. P., Hommer, D., Heilig, M.Neurokinin 1 receptor antagonism as a possible therapy for alcoholism.Science 319: 1536-1539, 2008.
3.Lai, J.-P., Ho, W. Z., Kilpatrick, L. E., Wang, X., Tuluc, F., Korchak, H. M., Douglas, S. D.Full-length and truncated neurokinin-1 receptor expression and function during monocyte/macrophage differentiation.Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 103: 7771-7776, 2006.
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