Galanin-like peptide as a link in the integration of metabolism and reproduction.
The arcuate nucleus is a hypothalamic center that couples energetics and reproduction. Peptide-releasing neurons in the arcuate nucleus receive and process humoral signals from the periphery and relay this information to other nuclei in the hypothalamus and preoptic area. Galanin-like peptide (GALP) is expressed in the arcuate nucleus, and GALP-containing neurons are targets for the action of leptin. GALP-containing neurons are closely apposed to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in the preoptic area, and CNS injections of GALP stimulate GnRH-mediated secretion of luteinizing hormone. These observations indicate that GALP is a molecular signal that couples circulating indices of metabolism to the neuroendocrine reproductive system and, thus, regulates reproductive activity as a function of the energy state. In this article, we describe the involvement of GALP in metabolism and reproduction, and in the coupling between these two processes.
Gottsch
Michelle L
ML
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Box 357290, Seattle WA 98195-7290, USA.
Clifton
Donald K
DK
Steiner
Robert A
RA
D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D044089:Galanin-Like Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*
D044089:Galanin-Like Peptide