[Cholecystokinin and cholecystokinin receptor].

Cholecystokinin (CCK) act as hormones and neuropeptides on central and peripheral CCK receptors. The application of modern molecular biological techniques has identified two CCK receptors, CCK-A receptor (CCKAR) and CCK-B/gastrin receptor (CCKBR). The genes of CCKAR and CCKBR consist of five exons interrupted by four introns. We have reported that OLETF rats, which have been established as an animal model of NIDDM, revealed no expression of CCKAR gene (a naturally occurring CCKAR gene knockout rat). Pancreatic exocrine functions in OLETF rats are regulated by all neural and peptidergic agents except CCK. Therefore, we have proposed that OLETF rats may be a useful experimental model for examining the biological functions of the CCKAR.