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Somatostatin Receptor

Meaning

The Somatostatin Receptor (SSTr) is a G protein-coupled receptor found on the cell surface of various endocrine and neuroendocrine tissues, including the pituitary gland, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract, which mediates the powerful inhibitory effects of the peptide hormone somatostatin. Somatostatin acts as a universal regulatory brake, suppressing the secretion of numerous hormones, including growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon. The five distinct subtypes of this receptor, SSTr1 through SSTr5, are crucial targets for therapeutic agents used in the diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors.