Somatostatin receptors and signaling cascades coupled to them

The peptide hormone somatostatin controlling functions of CNS and peripheral organs and tissues realizes its regulatory effects via five types of somatostatin receptors (SomR) coupled to heterotrimeric G-proteins. Targets of the hormone action are the enzymes generating second messengers (adenylyl cyclase, phospholipase C, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase), phosphotyrosine phosphatases, ion channels. The review summarizes and analyzes literature data and results of our studies on molecular mechanisms of transduction of the somatostatin signal into the cell, selectivity of interaction of SomR with heterotrimeric G-proteins and intracellular effectors as well as on effect of SomR oligomerization on their functional activity.