We report the identification of a gene, named SLC‐1 ¹, encoding a novel G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR). A customized search procedure of a database of expressed sequence tags (dbEST) retrieved a human cDNA sequence that partially encoded a GPCR. A genomic DNA fragment identical to the cDNA was obtained and used to screen a library to isolate the full‐length coding region of the gene. This gene was intronless in its open reading frame, and encoded a receptor of 402 amino acids, and shared −40% amino acid identity in the transmembrane (TM) regions to the five known human somatostatin receptors. Northern blot analysis revealed that SLC‐1 is expressed in human brain regions, including the forebrain and hypothalamus. Expression in the rat was highest in brain, followed by heart, kidney, and ovary. Expression of SLC‐1 in COS‐7 cells failed to show specific binding to radiolabelled Tyr¹‐somatostatin‐14, naloxone, bremazocine, 1,3‐di(2‐tolyl)‐guanidine (DTG), or haloperidol. A repeat polymorphism of the form (CA) _n was discovered in the 5′‐untranslated region (UTR) of the gene and SLC‐1 was mapped to chromosome 22, q13.3.