ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the expression of the G-protein-coupled-receptor 14 (GPR14), urotensinⅡreceptor, in the cardiovascular system and brain of SD rats. Methods: Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the GPR14 mRNA. Results: In cardiovascular system, GPR14 mRNA was detected in the left ventricle, left atrium, thoratic aorta and carotid aorta. The highest level of expression was found in the left ventricle. In the brain, GPR14 mRNA was detected in cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus and cerebellum, and higher level of expression was found in the cerebellum. Conclusion: GPR14 mRNA expression is found in the cardiovascular and neural tissues of tested rat, suggesting that urotensinⅡ may play an important role in cardiovasculature and central nervous activity.