G protein-coupled receptor that is activated by the chemokine CCL5/RANTES. Probably coupled to heterotrimeric Gq proteins, it stimulates inositol trisphosphate production and calcium mobilization upon activation. Together with CCL5/RANTES, may play a role in neuron survival through activation of a downstream signaling pathway involving the PI3, Akt and MAP kinases. CCL5/RANTES may also regulate insulin secretion by pancreatic islet cells through activation of this receptor. Expressed at high levels in brain and spinal cord and at detectable levels in retinal pigment epithelium. In situ hybridization of adult eye sections localized transcripts only to the perivascular cells, surrounding retinal arterioles, in the ganglion cell/nerve fiber layer. Also expressed by islet cells (at protein level). Belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor 1 family.