Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:P61278 (somatostatin)
 22,083 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Galanin-like peptide (GALP) is a novel 60-amino acid neuropeptide, isolated from porcine hypothalamus and subsequently identified in rats and humans, which has reported selectivity for the Gal-R2 galanin receptor [Ohtaki T et al: J Biol Chem 1999; 274: 37041-37045]. In the current study, the regional and cellular distribution of GALP mRNA in rat brain has been investigated by in situ hybridization of [(35)S]-labelled oligonucleotide probes. In a thorough screening of adult male rat brain, GALP mRNA expression was detected only throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the arcuate nucleus (ARC) with the most abundant hybridization signal in the posterior, periventricular zones. GALP mRNA-positive neurons were mostly localized in the ventromedial division of the ARC, with many closely adjacent to the wall of the third ventricle. Smaller numbers of labelled neurons were also found in ventrolateral areas. The distribution of GALP mRNA was somewhat complementary to that for galanin (GAL) mRNA in the ARC, but contrasted with the broad distribution of this transcript throughout the hypothalamus. GAL mRNA was also distributed along the rostrocaudal extent of the ARC, but was most abundant in the anterior to middle levels and in ventrolateral regions. Interestingly, somatostatin mRNA expression appeared to overlap the distribution of GALP mRNA in posterior, ventromedial regions of the ARC. Thus, in adult rat brain GALP mRNA expression was restricted to a discrete subpopulation of neurons in the ARC, with a unique localization pattern unlike GAL or many other known peptide- and transmitter-containing cells in this region. GALP could, however, be co-expressed in sub-populations of other neuronal phenotypes (e.g. somatostatin neurons) or within cells that express Gal-R2 receptors. In view of the established anatomy and function of the ARC and the restricted localization of GALP mRNA, this novel peptide is likely to play a role in regulation of anterior pituitary hormone secretion, or in regulation of other hypothalamic peptide and transmitter systems.
 ...
PMID:Galanin-like peptide (GALP) mRNA expression is restricted to arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus in adult male rat brain. 1097 Nov 41

Galanin-like peptide (GALP) is a novel galanin-like peptide isolated from the porcine hypothalamus. To determine the distribution of GALP in the rat brain, we performed immunohistochemical studies using a monoclonal antibody toward the N-terminal sequence of GALP. GALP-immunoreactive neuronal cell bodies were observed only in the arcuate nucleus (Arc), which was further confirmed by in situ hybridization studies using digoxigenin-labeled antisense GALP riboprobe. Additional immunostained cells were found in the median eminence and infundibular stalk. The GALP neurons found in the Arc were further characterized by double label immunohistochemistry. More than 85% of the GALP neurons were immunostained with leptin receptor antibody. However, the GALP neurons and fibers found in the Arc were not labeled with alpha-MSH, somatostatin, neuropeptide Y, agouti-related protein, or galanin antibodies, indicating that GALP is found in neurons other than these known Arc neurons. Dense staining of GALP-containing fibers was found in the anterior parvicellular part of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, in the ventral part of the lateral septal nucleus, and in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Relatively dense staining was noted in the medial preoptic area (MPA), and weak staining was noted in the periventricular hypothalamic nucleus. Detailed double labeling studies in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus demonstrated that GALP-containing fibers converged in a more rostral direction than did agouti-related protein-containing fibers. Furthermore, GALP-immunoreactive fibers were in close apposition with GnRH-immunoreactive fibers in the MPA and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and about 6% of GnRH-positive neurons in the MPA showed close contact with the GALP-immunoreactive fibers. Our findings indicate that GALP neurons, as leptin-responsive neurons, may participate in the regulation of feeding behavior and/or reproductive functions.
 ...
PMID:Distribution of galanin-like peptide in the rat brain. 1125 Sep 44