Galanin receptor ligand and antisense oligonucleotides in the study of hippocampal galanin receptors

摘要

The galanins (GAL) are 29 (human 30,dogfish 21) amino acids neuroendocrine peptides that are widely distributed in the intestine and in the CNS and peripheral nervous system.The GALs are not members of any known family of other peptides.Since the isolation and identification of the first porcine GAL [1],many biological functions have been recognized,including smooth muscle contracion,strong endogeneous anticonvulsant activity,cardovascular action,regulation of learning,memory and feeding,influence of sexural behavior and the pain threshold.They play a regulatory role in the release of insulin/glucagon,growth hormone/somatostatin,some neurotransmitters,especially ACh and pituitary hormones (oxytocin/vasopressin).GAL actions are mediated via G_i-protein-coupled receptors and ion channels,producing the inhibition of secretion of neurotransmitters or hormones in the nervous and endocrine systems.Three sequences of G-protein-coupled human and rat GAL subreceptors are known and others exist probably.Several excellent reviews have appeared.We mention only two of them [2,3].