GAL Human
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Galanin prepropeptide is a neuroendocrine peptide widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as in various other tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, adrenal gland, and urogenital tract . The human recombinant form of this peptide is used in research to study its physiological functions and potential therapeutic applications.
The gene encoding galanin prepropeptide is known as the GAL gene . This gene produces a precursor protein that is proteolytically processed to generate two mature peptides: galanin and galanin message-associated peptide (GMAP) . Galanin is a small neuropeptide that binds and activates G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), specifically GALR1, GALR2, and GALR3 .
Galanin has diverse physiological functions, including:
- Nociception: It plays a role in the perception of pain.
- Feeding and Energy Homeostasis: It is involved in regulating appetite and energy balance.
- Osmotic Regulation and Water Balance: It helps maintain fluid balance in the body .
GMAP, on the other hand, has been demonstrated to possess antifungal activity and is hypothesized to be part of the innate immune system .
Galanin exerts its effects by binding to its receptors, GALR1, GALR2, and GALR3, which are G protein-coupled receptors . These receptors are involved in various signaling pathways, including GPCR downstream signaling and Class A/1 (Rhodopsin-like receptors) . The binding of galanin to these receptors can regulate diverse physiological functions, such as the contraction of smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts, growth hormone and insulin release, and adrenal secretion .
The study of galanin and its receptors has significant implications for understanding and treating various diseases. For example, galanin receptors are being investigated as potential targets for treating conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, and addiction . The structural analysis of galanin receptors, such as GALR2, provides insights into ligand specificity and assists in structure-based drug design .
