NEUROTENSIN

Definition

ChEBI: Neurotensin is a 13 amino acid peptide hormone which is found in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. It behaves as a neurotransmitter in the brain, as a hormone in the gut, and also as a neuromodulator. It is implicated in the pathophysiology of several CNS disorders (including schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, drug abuse, pain, cancer, inflammation, eating disorders and central control of blood pressure) due to its association with a wide variety of neurotransmitter systems such as dopaminergic, sertonergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic, and cholinergic systems. It has a role as a human metabolite, a mitogen, a neurotransmitter and a vulnerary. It is a conjugate base of a neurotensin(1+).

General Description

Neurotensin is a 13-amino-acid peptide, first isolated frombovine hypothalamus. It has now been identified in the intestinaltract. The ileal mucosa contains 90% of the total neurotensinof the body. It is implicated as a releasing factor forseveral adenohypophyseal hormones. It causes vasodilatation,increases vascular permeability, and increases gastrinsecretion. It decreases secretion of gastric acid and secretin.