somatostatin receptor

Somatostatin receptors are specialized proteins found on the surface of certain cells in the body. They act like locks that specifically recognize and bind to somatostatin, a hormone that helps regulate the release of other hormones, reduce digestive activity, and control cell growth. When somatostatin binds to these receptors, it signals the cell to slow down or stop specific functions. These receptors are important targets in medicine, especially for diagnosing and treating some types of tumors, such as neuroendocrine tumors, because drugs can be designed to attach to these receptors and modify their activity.