VIP receptor type 2
VIPR2 (VPAC2) is the second receptor for VIP and PACAP, a class B Gs-coupled GPCR with a distribution complementary to VPAC1: it is enriched in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, hypothalamus, pancreatic islets, smooth muscle and activated T cells. In the suprachiasmatic nucleus, VPAC2 signaling is required for circadian rhythm synchrony among clock neurons, and Vipr2-null mice lose coherent behavioral rhythms. In islets it contributes to insulin secretion, and in immune cells it mediates VIP's anti-inflammatory actions. VPAC2-selective ligands and recombinant VPAC2 protein are tools for dissecting circadian biology and for metabolic and immunomodulatory drug discovery.
