Neurotensin and Receptors

Neurotensin (NT) is a neuropeptide predominantly expressed in the brain and the gut. The peptide exerts its effects through two G-protein-coupled receptors, the NTS1 and NTS2, and through a single transmembrane domain protein, the NTS3 or sortilin, that belongs to a small family of sorting receptors. In the brain, NT and its receptors are distributed in a regionalized fashion, and the peptide modulates the activity of neuronal systems involved in behavioral responses such as locomotor activity, rewarding, drug seeking, eating, and pain sensation.