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Abstract
Neurotensin is an endogenous tridecapeptide neurotransmitter (pGlu-Leu-Tyr-Glu-Asn-Lys-Pro-Arg-Arg-Pro-Try-Ile-Leu-OH)
that was discovered by Carraway and Leeman in bovine hypothalami in the early 1970s.
Since then this peptide has been the subject of a multitude of articles detailing
discoveries related to its activity, receptors, localization, synthesis, and interactions
with other systems. This review article does not intend to summarize again all the
history of this fascinating peptide and its receptors, since this has been done quite
well by others. The reader will be directed to these other reviews, where appropriate.
Instead, this review attempts to provide a summary of current knowledge about neurotensin,
why it is an important peptide to study, and where the field is heading. Special emphasis
is placed on the behavioral studies, particularly with reference to agonists, antagonists,
and antisense studies, as well as, the interaction of neurotensin with other neurotransmitters.