galanin receptor

Glyphosate is the active ingredient of glyphosate-based herbicides and the most commonly used pesticide in the world. The goal of the present study was to verify whether low doses of glyphosate (equivalent to the environmental exposure) evoke changes in galanin expression in intramural neurons in the small intestine in pigs and to quantitatively determine changes in the level of galanin receptor encoding mRNA (GALR1, GALR2, GALR3) in the small intestine wall. The experiment was conducted on 15 sexually immature gilts divided into three study groups: control (C)-animals receiving empty gelatin capsules; experimental 1 (G1)-animals receiving a low dose of glyphosate (0...

BACKGROUND: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies due to the limited efficacy and adverse effects of current treatments. We explored how galanin receptor 2 (GALR2) and Neuropeptide Y1 Receptor (NPYY1R) agonists, working together, can boost brain cell growth and increase antidepressant-like effects in rats. This suggests new ways to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a controlled laboratory setting, adult naive Sprague-Dawley rats were administered directly into the brain's ventricles, a method known as intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration, with GALR2 agonist (M1145), NPYY1R agonist, both, or in combination with a GALR2 antagonist (M871)...

In mammals, the ventral respiratory column (VRC) plays a pivotal role in integrating neurochemically diverse inputs from brainstem and forebrain regions to generate respiratory motor patterns. VRC microinjection of the neuropeptide galanin has been reported to dampen carbon dioxide (CO2 )-mediated chemoreflex responses. Additionally, we previously demonstrated that galaninergic neurons in the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) are implicated in the adaptive response to hypercapnic stimuli, suggesting a link between RTN neuroplasticity and increased neuronal drive to the VRC...

This study evaluates the sustained antidepressant-like effects and neurogenic potential of a 3-day intranasal co-administration regimen of galanin receptor 2 (GALR2) agonist M1145 and neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor (NPY1R) agonist [Leu31, Pro34]NPY in the ventral hippocampus of adult rats, with outcomes analyzed 3 weeks post-treatment. Utilizing the forced swimming test (FST), we found that this co-administration significantly enhances antidepressant-like behaviors, an effect neutralized by the GALR2 antagonist M871, highlighting the synergistic potential of these neuropeptides in modulating mood-related behaviors...

The paper presents a summary of immunohistochemical (IHC) and biochemical investigations on the presence of galanin (Gal), one of the neuropeptides abundant in the enteric nervous systems, and three types of its receptors (GalR1-3) in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue and non-involved colon wall and their associations with clinical-pathological data of the CRC patients. We were the first to morphologically demonstrate the presence of endogenous Gal in CRC sections and measure its content in homogenates of tumor tissue and dissected compartments of unchanged colon wall...

The significance of transient neuropeptide expression during postnatal brain development is unknown. Here, we show that galanin expression in the ventrobasal thalamus of infant mice coincides with whisker map development and modulates subcortical circuit wiring. Time-resolved neuroanatomy and single-nucleus RNA-seq identified complementary galanin (Gal) and galanin receptor 1 (Galr1) expression in the ventrobasal thalamus and the principal sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (Pr5), respectively. Somatodendritic galanin release from the ventrobasal thalamus was time-locked to the first postnatal week, when Gal1 R+ Pr5 afferents form glutamatergic (Slc17a6+ ) synapses for the topographical whisker map to emerge...

BACKGROUND: Spatial memory deficits and reduced neuronal survival contribute to cognitive decline seen in the aging process. Current treatments are limited, emphasizing the need for innovative therapeutic strategies. This research explored the combined effects of intranasally co-administered galanin receptor 2 (GALR2) and neuropeptide Y1 receptor (NPY1R) agonists, recognized for their neural benefits, on spatial memory, neuronal survival, and differentiation in adult rats. After intranasal co-delivery of the GALR2 agonist M1145 and a NPY1R agonist to adult rats, spatial memory was tested with the object-in-place task 3 weeks later...

INTRODUCTION: This study may unveil novel insights into the interactions between neuropeptide Y receptor 1 (NPY1R) and galanin receptor 2 (GALR2), in the dentate gyrus of the dorsal hippocampus, shedding light on their role in neurogenesis and cognitive functions. Existing literature highlights the potential of these interactions in enhancing learning and memory, yet detailed mechanisms remain underexplored. METHODS: Utilizing intracerebroventricular injections of GALR2 and NPY1R agonists in Sprague-Dawley male rats, we examined neurogenesis via markers PCNA and DCX, and memory consolidation through the object-in-place task over a three-week period...

Neuropeptides are involved in numerous brain activities being responsible for a wide spectrum of higher mental functions. The purpose of this concise, structural and qualitative investigation was to map the possible immunoreactivity of the novel regulatory peptides: spexin (SPX) and nesfatin-1 within the human claustrum. SPX is a newly identified peptide, a natural ligand for the galanin receptors (GALR) 2/3, with no molecular structure similarities to currently known regulatory factors. SPX seems to have multiple physiological functions, with an involvement in reproduction and food-intake regulation recently revealed in animal studies...

Neuropeptides represent the most diverse family of neurotransmitters counting numerous members and even more G protein-coupled receptors, all of which are potential targets for drug development. Here, we focus on galanin and its three receptors by describing their possible involvement in pain and regeneration. Although animal experiments indicate that galanin, together with other molecules, may act as an endogenous system protecting against pain and improving nerve growth, these results have so far not been translated into patient treatments...

(R,S)-methadone ((R,S)-MTD) is a µ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist comprised of (R)-MTD and (S)-MTD enantiomers. (S)-MTD is being developed as an antidepressant and is considered an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist. We compared the pharmacology of (R)-MTD and (S)-MTD and found they bind to MORs, but not NMDARs, and induce full analgesia. Unlike (R)-MTD, (S)-MTD was a weak reinforcer that failed to affect extracellular dopamine or induce locomotor stimulation. Furthermore, (S)-MTD antagonized motor and dopamine releasing effects of (R)-MTD...

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious disease and a burden to patients, families and society. Rodent experiments and human studies suggest that several neuropeptide systems are involved in mood regulation. The aim of this study is two-fold: (i) to monitor, with qPCR, transcript levels of the substance P/tachykinin (TAC), NPY and CCK systems in bulk samples from control and suicide subjects, targeting five postmortem brain regions including locus coeruleus (LC); and (ii) to analyse expression of neuropeptide family transcripts in LC neurons of 'normal' postmortem brains by using laser capture microdissection with Smart-Seq2 RNA sequencing...

Understanding the genetic basis of novel adaptations in new species is a fundamental question in biology. Here we demonstrate a new role for galr2 in vertebrate craniofacial development using an adaptive radiation of trophic specialist pupfishes endemic to San Salvador Island, Bahamas. We confirmed the loss of a putative Sry transcription factor binding site upstream of galr2 in scale-eating pupfish and found significant spatial differences in galr2 expression among pupfish species in Meckel's cartilage using in situ hybridization chain reaction (HCR)...

The inhibitory neuropeptide Galanin (Gal) has been shown to mediate anticonvulsion and neuroprotection. Here we investigated whether Gal affects cortical spreading depolarization (CSD). CSD is considered the pathophysiological neuronal mechanism of migraine aura, and a neuronal mechanism aggravating brain damage upon afflictions of the brain. Immunohistochemistry localized Gal and the Gal receptors 1-3 (GalR1-3) in native rat cortex and evaluated microglial morphology after exposure to Gal. In anesthetized rats, Gal was applied alone and together with the GalR antagonists M40, M871, or SNAP 37889 locally to the exposed cortex...

The spexin-based GALR2 agonist (NS200) is a novel drug, which has shown antidepressant and anxiolytic action in a recent experimental study. In this study, we investigated the effects of NS200 on renal injury in an animal model of type 2 diabetes. Eight-week-old diabetic db/db mice were administered NS200 for 12 weeks. NS200 was intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg/day. Metabolic parameters and structural and molecular changes in the kidneys were compared among the three groups: non-diabetic db/m control, db/db mice, and NS200-treated db/db mice...

Spexin (SPX) and galanin (GAL) are two neuropeptides widely expressed in the central nervous system as well as within peripheral tissues in humans and other species. SPX and GAL mediate their biological actions through binding and activation of galanin receptors (GALR), namely GALR1, GALR2 and GLAR3. GAL appears to trigger all three galanin receptors, whereas SPX interacts more specifically with GALR2 and GLAR3. Whilst the biological effects of GAL have been well-described over the years, in-depth knowledge of physiological action profile of SPX is still in its preliminary stages...

Spexin (SPX) is a novel neuropeptide and adipokine negatively correlated with obesity and insulin resistance. A recent study investigated expression and regulatory function of SPX in the hypothalamus and pituitary; however, the effect on ovarian function is still unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of SPX and its receptors, galanin receptors 2 and 3 (GALR2/3) in the human ovary and to study its in vitro effect on granulosa cells (GC) function. Follicular fluid (FF) and GC were obtained from normal weight and obese healthy and diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women...

The locus coeruleus (LC) is a small nucleus in the pons from which ascending and descending projections innervate major parts of the central nervous system. Its major transmitter is norepinephrine (NE). This system is evolutionarily conserved, including in humans, and its functions are associated with wakefulness and related to disorders, such as depression. Here, we performed single-cell ribonucleic acid-sequencing (RNA-seq) to subdivide neurons in the LC (24 clusters in total) into 3 NE, 17 glutamate, and 5 γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) subtypes, and to chart their neuropeptide, cotransmitter, and receptor profiles...

BACKGROUND: Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) is characterised by poor outcomes. Early diagnosis is essential for patient survival. The peptide galanin (GAL) and its receptors GAL1-3 are expressed in various tumours. Detailed characterisation of the GAL system in pCCA is lacking. Our study sought to characterise GAL and GAL1-3 receptor (GAL1-3 -R) expression in the healthy human bile duct, in cholestasis and pCCA. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was performed in healthy controls ( n = 5) and in the peritumoural tissues (with and without cholestasis) ( n = 20) and tumour tissues of pCCA patients ( n = 33) using validated antibodies...

Knowledge gaps that limit the development of therapies for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) concern various environmental factors that impact clinical characteristics. Circadian dysrhythmia contributes to glycometabolic and reproductive hallmarks of PCOS. Here, we illustrated the amelioration of Limosilactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) on biorhythm disorder-ignited dyslipidemia of PCOS via a microbiota-metabolite-liver axis. A rat model of long-term (8 weeks) darkness treatment was used to mimic circadian dysrhythmia-induced PCOS...