The neurotensin receptors are transmembrane receptors that bind the neurotransmitterneurotensin.[1][2] Two of the receptors encoded by the NTSR1 and NTSR2 genes contain seven transmembrane helices and are G protein coupled. The third receptor has a single transmembrane domain and is encoded by the SORT1 gene.
Unusually for GPCRs, NTS1 can be expressed in an active form in the bacteria E. coli.[7] It can be purified and analysed in vitro and has been analysed by a number of biophysical techniques such as surface plasmon resonance,[8] FRET[9] and cryo-electron microscopy.[10]
^Bredeloux P, Costentin J, Dubuc I (December 2006). "Interactions between NTS2 neurotensin and opioid receptors on two nociceptive responses assessed on the hot plate test in mice". Behavioural Brain Research. 175 (2): 399–407. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2006.09.016. PMID17074405.
^Ferraro L, Tomasini MC, Mazza R, Fuxe K, Fournier J, Tanganelli S, Antonelli T (August 2008). "Neurotensin receptors as modulators of glutamatergic transmission". Brain Research Reviews. 58 (2): 365–373. doi:10.1016/j.brainresrev.2007.11.001. PMID18096238.
^Attrill H, Harding PJ, Smith E, Ross S, Watts A (2009). "Improved yield of a ligand-binding GPCR expressed in E. coli for structural studies". Protein Expr Purification. 64 (1): 32–38. doi:10.1016/j.pep.2008.10.001. PMID18976711.
^Harding PJ, Hadingham TC, McDonnell JM, Watts A (2006). "Direct analysis of a GPCR-agonist interaction by surface plasmon resonance". Eur Biophys J. 35 (8): 709–712. doi:10.1007/s00249-006-0070-x. PMID16708210.