Physiology of somatostatin receptors

Since its discovery three decades ago as an inhibitor of GH release from the pituitary gland, somatostatin has attracted much attention because of its functional role in the regulation of a wide variety of physiological functions in the brain, pituitary, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, adrenals, thyroid, kidney and immune system. Its actions include inhibition of endocrine and exocrine secretions, modulation of neurotransmission, motor and cognitive functions, inhibition of intestinal motility, absorption of nutrients and ions and vascular contractility. In addition, the peptide controls the proliferation of normal and tumor cells. Its action is mediated by a family of G protein-coupled receptors [somatostatin receptor (SSTR)1-SSTR5] that are widely distributed in normal and cancer cells. Direct antitumor activities, mediated through SSTR expressed in tumor cells, include blockade of autocrine/paracrine growth-promoting hormone and growth factor production, inhibition of growth factor-mediated mitogenic signals and induction of apoptosis. Indirect antitumor effects include inhibition of growth-promoting hormone and growth factor secretion, and antiangiogenic actions. Many human tumors express more than one SSTR subtype, with SSTR2 being predominant. These receptors represent the molecular basis for the clinical use of somatostatin analogs in the treatment of endocrine tumors and their in vivo localization. This review covers the present knowledge in SSTR biology and signaling.