Hypocretin Receptor 2 (HCRTR2)

OX2 is a G-protein coupled receptor expressed exclusively in the brain. It has 64% identity with OX1. OX2 binds both orexin A and orexin B neuropeptides. OX2 is involved in the central feedback mechanism that regulates feeding behaviour.Hypothalamic orexin (hypocretin) neurons project to the key structures of the limbic system and orexin receptors, both orexin receptor type 1 (OXR1) and type 2 (OXR2), are expressed in most limbic regions.  the up-regulation of OXR2 in the nucleus accumbens as an enduring molecular event that is correlated well with behavioral plasticity in response to chronic psychostimulant administration. This OXR2 up-regulation may reflect a key adaptation of limbic orexinergic transmission to chronic drug exposure and may thus be critical for the expression of motor plasticity.