Galanin function in the central nervous system.
The peptide galanin is primarily expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and it is active in a range of models of behavior. The identification of three galanin receptors, whose distribution of expression is distinct but overlapping, is evidence of the complexity of galanin's regulation of neuronal function. The majority of studies examining galanin have used broad methods to identify its function, employing nonselective peptide agonists and antagonists, or transgenic animal models. While these studies were informative, they provided limited insight to the specific receptors mediating the effects of galanin. The recent identification of potent, brain-permeable and selective galanin antagonists suggests it will be possible to gain greater insight into the function of each galanin receptor and their potential as therapeutic targets. This article reviews the roles identified for galanin in the CNS and how ligands of the galanin receptors, both peptidic and small-molecule, have been used to explore the behavioral models that characterize these roles.
Walton
Kevin M
KM
Neuroscience Discovery, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, CT 06340, USA. kevin.m.wallon@pfizer.com
Chin
Janice E
JE
Duplantier
Allen J
AJ
Mather
Robert J
RJ
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology; D019004:Galanin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D019004:Galanin