Chemistry:Galanin

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Generic protein structure example
Galanin
Identifiers
CAS Number
ChemSpider
  • none
ChEMBL
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC146H213N43O40
Molar mass3210.571 g·mol−1
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Galanin is a neuropeptide encoded by the GAL gene,[1] that is widely expressed in the brain, spinal cord, and gut of humans as well as other mammals. Galanin signaling occurs through three G protein-coupled receptors.[2]

Much of galanin's functional role is still undiscovered. Galanin is closely involved in the modulation and inhibition of action potentials in neurons. Galanin has been implicated in many biologically diverse functions, including: nociception, waking and sleep regulation, cognition, feeding, regulation of mood, regulation of blood pressure, it also has roles in development as well as acting as a trophic factor.[3] Galanin neurons in the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus may govern parental behaviour.[4] Galanin is linked to a number of diseases including Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy as well as depression, eating disorders, cancer, and addiction.[5][6] Galanin appears to have neuroprotective activity as its biosynthesis is increased 2-10 fold upon axotomy in the peripheral nervous system as well as when seizure activity occurs in the brain. It may also promote neurogenesis.[2]

Galanin is predominantly an inhibitory, hyperpolarizing neuropeptide[7] and as such inhibits neurotransmitter release. Galanin is often co-localized with classical neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, and also with other neuromodulators such as neuropeptide Y, substance P, and vasoactive intestinal peptide.[8]

Discovery

Galanin was first identified from porcine intestinal extracts in 1978 by Professor Viktor Mutt and colleagues at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden[9] using a chemical assay technique that detects peptides according to its C-terminal alanine amide structure. Galanin is so-called because it contains an N-terminal glycine residue and a C-terminal alanine.[10] The structure of galanin was determined in 1983 by the same team, and the cDNA of galanin was cloned from a rat anterior pituitary library in 1987.[9]

Tissue distribution

Galanin is located predominantly in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Within the central nervous system, highest concentrations are found in the hypothalamus, with lower levels in the cortex and brainstem. In the hypothalamus, it is for example found in the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus where it has sleep-promoting function. Within the brain, galanin has also been found in the ventral forebrain and amygdala.[11] Along with this, the immune reaction of galanin in the brain is centered in the hypothalamopituitary.[12] Gastrointestinal galanin is most abundant in the duodenum, with lower concentrations in the stomach, small intestine, and colon.[13] Galanin is also expressed in the skin where is serves anti-inflammatory functions.[14] Specifically, it has been found in keratinocytes, eccrine sweat glands, and around blood vessels.[14] Galanin has been found in endocrine tumors.[15] Within gastric cancer cells, galanin has been found to have a tumor suppressive role, but hypermethylation has been shown to stop its tumor suppressive properties.[16]

Structure

Endogenously occurring galanin sequences
Species 1 6 11 16 21 26 !
Pig G W T L N S A G Y L L G P H A I D N H R S F H D K Y G L A *
Human G W T L N S A G Y L L G P H A V G N H R S F S D K N G L T S **
Cow G W T L N S A G Y L L G P H A L D S H R S F Q D K H G L A *
Rat G W T L N S A G Y L L G P H A I D N H R S F S D K H G L T*
* C-terminal amide ** C-terminal free acid

Galanin is a peptide consisting of a chain of 29 amino acids (30 amino acids in humans) produced from the cleavage of a 123-amino acid protein known as prepro galanin, which is encoded by the GAL gene.[1] The sequence of this gene is highly conserved among mammals, showing over 85% homology between rat, mouse, porcine, bovine, and human sequences.[8] In these animal forms, the first 15 amino acids from the N-terminus are identical, but amino acids differ at several positions on the C-terminal end of the protein.

These slight differences in protein structure have far-reaching implications on their function. For example, porcine and rat galanin inhibit glucose-induced insulin secretion in rats and dogs but have no effect on insulin secretion in humans. This demonstrates that it is essential to study the effects of galanin and other regulatory peptides in their autologous species.[17]

The galanin family of protein consists of four proteins, of which GAL was the first to be identified. The second was galanin message-associated protein (GMAP), a 59- or 60-amino acid peptide also formed from the cleavage of prepro galanin.[10] The other two peptides, galanin-like peptide (GALP) and alarin, were identified relatively recently and are both encoded for in the same gene, the prepro GALP gene. GALP and alarin are produced by different post-transcriptional splicing of this gene.[18]

Galanin
Identifiers
SymbolGalanin
PfamPF01296
InterProIPR008174
PROSITEPDOC00673
Galanin message associated peptide (GMAP)
Identifiers
SymbolGMAP
PfamPF06540
InterProIPR013068

Receptors

Galanin signalling occurs through three classes of receptors, GALR1, GALR2, and GALR3, which are all part of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. Galanin receptors are expressed in the central nervous system, in the pancreas, and on solid tumours. The level of expression of the different receptors varies at each location, and this distribution changes after injury to neurons.[2] Experiments into the function of the receptor subtypes involve mostly genetic knockout mice. The location of the receptor and the combination of receptors that are inhibited or stimulated heavily affect the outcome of galanin signalling.[2]

Clinical characteristics

Appetite

Injections of galanin into the lateral ventricle or directly into the hypothalamus creates the urge to feed, with a preference for eating fats.[15] Galanin also regulates glucose metabolism and can potentially alleviate symptoms of Diabetes Type II due to its interaction with insulin resistance.[19] Galanin is an inhibitor of pancreatic secretion of insulin.[15]

Addiction

Galanin plays a role in addiction regulation.[20] It is involved in repeated alcohol intake.[15] Along with addiction to alcohol, galanin has been shown to play a role in addiction to nicotine and opiates.[20]

Alzheimer's disease

One of the pathological features of the brain in the later stages of Alzheimer's disease is the presence of overgrown GAL-containing fibres innervating the surviving cholinergic neurons.[21] Another feature is an increase in the expression of GAL and GAL receptors, in which increases of up to 200% have been observed in postmortem brains of Alzheimer's patients.[2][18] The cause and role of this increase is poorly understood.[21][22]

It has been suggested that the hyper-innervation acts to promote the death of these neurons and that the inhibitory effect of galanin on cholinergic neurons worsened the degeneration of cognitive function in patients by decreasing the amount of acetylcholine available to these neurons.[2][21]

A second hypothesis has been generated based on data that suggest GAL is involved in protecting the hippocampus from excitotoxic damage and the neurons in the cholinergic basal forebrain from amyloid toxicity.[23]

Cognitive performance

Galanin participates in cognitive performance and has been shown to weaken learning and cognition.[15]

Depression

Noradrenaline and serotonin, two neurotransmitters involved in depression, are both co-expressed and modulated by galanin, suggesting that galanin plays a role in the regulation of depression.[11] Stimulation of the Gal1 and Gal3 receptors result in depression-like behaviors, whereas stimulation of the Gal2 receptor results in reduced depression-like behaviors.[11] Currently, one of the potential mechanisms for this is that galanin stimulates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, which leads to an increase in glucocorticoid secretion.[11] Increased levels of glucocorticoid hormones is common in those who suffer from depression.[24]

Endocrine

Galanin inhibits the secretion of insulin and somatostatin and stimulates the secretion of glucagon, prolactin, somatotropin, adrenocorticotropin, luteinizing hormone, foliculotropin, growth hormone-releasing hormone, hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and corticotropin-releasing hormone.[25]

Epilepsy

Galanin in the hippocampus is an inhibitor of glutamate but not of GABA. This means that galanin is capable of increasing the seizure threshold[2] and, therefore, is expected to act as an anticonvulsant. To be specific, GalR1 has been linked to the suppression of spontaneous seizures.[26][27] An agonist antiepileptic drug candidate is NAX 5055.[28][29]

In development

It has been shown that galanin plays a role in the control of the early post-natal neural development of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG).[9] Galanin-mutant animals show a 13% decrease in the number of adult DRG cells as well as a 24% decrease in the percentage of cells expressing substance P. This suggests that the cell loss by apoptosis that usually occurs in the developing DRG is regulated by galanin and that the absence of galanin results in an increase in the number of cells that die.

Pain and neuroprotection

Galanin plays an inhibitory role in pain processing,[30] with high doses having been shown to reduce pain.[15] When galanin is added to the spinal cord, neuropathic pain is reduced.[31] Along with this, galanin is believed to be effective in reducing spinal hyperexcitability.[31] Sensory neurons increasingly release galanin when they are damaged.[31] An increase in the concentrations of galanin are also believed to be for neuroprotective reasons and lead to promoted neurogenesis.[15] GalR2 activation is believed to mediate the survival role galanin plays in the dorsal root ganglion.[30]

Parental role in mice

Galanin-expressing neurons in the medial preoptic area of the brain are responsible for regulating aggression towards pups by male mice.[4]

Galanin-expressing neurons in the medial preoptic area are remodelled during pregnancy. Estrogen and progesterone genomic receptors in galanin (Gal)-expressing neurons control discrete aspected of plasticity.[32]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Genomic organization and localization of the gene encoding human preprogalanin". Genomics 18 (3): 473–477. December 1993. doi:10.1016/S0888-7543(11)80002-9. PMID 7508413. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Galanin, galanin receptors and drug targets". Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 65 (12): 1796–1805. June 2008. doi:10.1007/s00018-008-8153-8. PMID 18500647. 
  3. ↑ "Galanin and the neuroendocrine axes". Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 65 (12): 1826–1835. June 2008. doi:10.1007/s00018-008-8157-4. PMID 18500643. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Galanin neurons in the medial preoptic area govern parental behaviour". Nature 509 (7500): 325–330. May 2014. doi:10.1038/nature13307. PMID 24828191. Bibcode: 2014Natur.509..325W. 
  5. ↑ "Galanin and its receptors in neurological disorders". Neuromolecular Medicine 7 (1–2): 157–180. 2005. doi:10.1385/NMM:7:1-2:157. PMID 16052044. 
  6. ↑ "Galanin and galanin receptors in human cancers". Neuropeptides 39 (3): 353–359. June 2005. doi:10.1016/j.npep.2004.12.016. PMID 15944034. 
  7. ↑ "Functional roles of neuropeptides in cerebellar circuits". Neuroscience 162 (3): 666–672. September 2009. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.01.019. PMID 19361475. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Galanin – A neuropeptide with important central nervous system actions". 2000. http://www.acnp.org/g4/GN401000054/CH054.html. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "The role of galanin as a multi-functional neuropeptide in the nervous system". Current Opinion in Pharmacology 1 (1): 73–77. February 2001. doi:10.1016/S1471-4892(01)00006-6. PMID 11712539. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Galanin--25 years with a multitalented neuropeptide". Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 65 (12): 1793–1795. June 2008. doi:10.1007/s00018-008-8152-9. PMID 18500648. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 "Galanin, galanin receptor subtypes and depression-like behaviour". Experientia Supplementum (2012). Experientia Supplementum (Springer) 102: 163–181. 2010. doi:10.1007/978-3-0346-0228-0_12. ISBN 978-3-0346-0227-3. PMID 21299068. 
  12. ↑ "Distribution of galanin immunoreactivity in the central nervous system and the responses of galanin-containing neuronal pathways to injury". Neuroscience 16 (2): 343–354. October 1985. doi:10.1016/0306-4522(85)90007-7. PMID 2417156. 
  13. ↑ "Tissue-specific expression of the rat galanin gene". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 85 (4): 1065–1069. February 1988. doi:10.1073/pnas.85.4.1065. PMID 2448788. Bibcode: 1988PNAS...85.1065K. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Galanin family of peptides in skin function". Experientia Supplementum (2012). Experientia Supplementum (Springer) 102: 51–59. 2010. doi:10.1007/978-3-0346-0228-0_5. ISBN 978-3-0346-0227-3. PMID 21299061. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 "Galanin, galanin receptors, and drug targets". Experientia Supplementum (2012). Experientia Supplementum (Springer) 102: 7–23. 2010. doi:10.1007/978-3-0346-0228-0_2. ISBN 978-3-0346-0227-3. PMID 21299058. 
  16. ↑ "Galanin is an epigenetically silenced tumor suppressor gene in gastric cancer cells". PLOS ONE 13 (2): e0193275. 2018-02-20. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0193275. PMID 29462183. Bibcode: 2018PLoSO..1393275Y. 
  17. ↑ "Human galanin: primary structure and identification of two molecular forms". FEBS Letters 283 (2): 189–194. June 1991. doi:10.1016/0014-5793(91)80585-Q. PMID 1710578. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "The galanin peptide family: receptor pharmacology, pleiotropic biological actions, and implications in health and disease". Pharmacology & Therapeutics 115 (2): 177–207. August 2007. doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2007.05.009. PMID 17604107. 
  19. ↑ "Galanin peptide family regulation of glucose metabolism". Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology 56: 100801. January 2020. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100801. PMID 31705911. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Neuropeptide modulation of addiction: Focus on galanin". Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 110: 133–149. March 2020. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.021. PMID 29949733. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 "Galanin in Alzheimer's disease: neuroinhibitory or neuroprotective?". Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 65 (12): 1842–1853. June 2008. doi:10.1007/s00018-008-8159-2. PMID 18500641. 
  22. ↑ "Galanin in Alzheimer disease". Molecular Interventions 3 (3): 137–156. May 2003. doi:10.1124/mi.3.3.137. PMID 14993421. 
  23. ↑ "Galanin attenuates beta-amyloid (Abeta) toxicity in rat cholinergic basal forebrain neurons". Neurobiology of Disease 21 (2): 413–420. February 2006. doi:10.1016/j.nbd.2005.08.016. PMID 16246567. 
  24. ↑ "The glucocorticoid receptor: pivot of depression and of antidepressant treatment?". Psychoneuroendocrinology 36 (3): 415–425. April 2011. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.03.007. PMID 20399565. 
  25. ↑ "[The role of galanin in the endocrine system"]. Endokrynologia, Diabetologia I Choroby Przemiany Materii Wieku Rozwojowego 6 (2): 129–134. 2000. PMID 12818074. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12818074/. Retrieved 28 January 2023. 
  26. ↑ "Patterns of seizures, hippocampal injury and neurogenesis in three models of status epilepticus in galanin receptor type 1 (GalR1) knockout mice". Neuroscience 128 (2): 431–441. 2004. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2004.06.052. PMID 15350653. 
  27. ↑ "Structural requirements for a lipoamino acid in modulating the anticonvulsant activities of systemically active galanin analogues". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 52 (5): 1310–1316. March 2009. doi:10.1021/jm801397w. PMID 19199479. 
  28. ↑ "Design, synthesis, and characterization of high-affinity, systemically-active galanin analogues with potent anticonvulsant activities". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 51 (24): 8038–8047. December 2008. doi:10.1021/jm801088x. PMID 19053761. 
  29. ↑ "Developing novel antiepileptic drugs: characterization of NAX 5055, a systemically-active galanin analog, in epilepsy models". Neurotherapeutics 6 (2): 372–380. April 2009. doi:10.1016/j.nurt.2009.01.001. PMID 19332332. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Galanin acts as a trophic factor to the central and peripheral nervous systems". Experientia Supplementum (2012). Experientia Supplementum (Springer) 102: 25–38. 2010. doi:10.1007/978-3-0346-0228-0_3. ISBN 978-3-0346-0227-3. PMID 21299059. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 "Galanin and spinal pain mechanisms: past, present, and future". Experientia Supplementum (2012). Experientia Supplementum (Springer) 102: 39–50. 2010. doi:10.1007/978-3-0346-0228-0_4. ISBN 978-3-0346-0227-3. PMID 21299060. 
  32. ↑ "Hormone-mediated neural remodeling orchestrates parenting onset during pregnancy". Science 382 (6666): 76–81. October 2023. doi:10.1126/science.adi0576. PMID 37797007. 

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