Galanin pathogenic mutations in temporal lobe epilepsy

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common epilepsy syndrome with a complex etiology. Despite evidence for the participation of genetic factors, the genetic basis of TLE remains largely unknown. A role for the galanin neuropeptide in the regulation of epileptic seizures has been established in animal models more than two decades ago. However, until now there was no report of pathogenic mutations in GAL, the galanin-encoding gene, and therefore its role in human epilepsy was not established. Here, we studied a family with a pair of monozygotic twins affected by TLE and two unaffected siblings born to healthy parents. Exome sequencing revealed that both twins carried a novel de novo mutation (p.A39E) in the GAL gene. Functional analysis revealed that the p.A39E mutant showed antagonistic activity against galanin receptor 1 (GalR1)-mediated response, and decreased binding affinity and reduced agonist properties for GalR2. These findings suggest that the p.A39E mutant could impair galanin signaling in the hippocampus, leading to increased glutamatergic excitation and ultimately to TLE. In a cohort of 582 cases, we did not observe any pathogenic mutations indicating that mutations in GAL are a rare cause of TLE. The identification of a novel de novo mutation in a biologically-relevant candidate gene, coupled with functional evidence that the mutant protein disrupts galanin signaling, strongly supports GAL as the causal gene for the TLE in this family. Given the availability of galanin agonists which inhibit seizures, our findings could potentially have direct implications for the development of anti-epileptic treatmen

Responsiveness of pituitary to galanin throughout the reproductive cycle of male European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The neuropeptide galanin (Gal) is a putative factor regulating puberty onset and reproduction through its actions on the pituitary. The present study investigated the pituitary responsiveness to galanin and the patterns of galanin receptors (Galrs) expression throughout the reproductive cycle of two years old male European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), an important aquaculture species. Quantitative analysis of pituitary and hypothalamus transcript expression of four galr subtypes revealed differential regulation according to the testicular developmental stage, with an overall decrease in expression from the immature stage to the mid-recrudescence stage. Incubation of pituitary cells with mammalian 1-29 Gal peptide induced significant changes in cAMP concentration, with sensitivities that varied according to the testicular development stages. Furthermore 1-29 Gal was able to stimulate both follicle stimulating hormone (Fsh) and luteinizing hormone (Lh) release from pituitary cell suspensions. The magnitude of the effects and effective concentrations varied according to reproductive stage, with generalized induction of Fsh and Lh release in animals sampled in January (full spermiation). The differential expression of galrs in pituitary and hypothalamus across the reproductive season, together with the differential effects of Gal on gonadotropins release in vitro strongly suggests the involvement of the galaninergic system in the regulation the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis of male sea bass. This is to our knowledge the first clear evidence for the involvement of galanin in the regulation of reproduction in non-mammalian vertebrates. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.European Union Seventh Framework Programme [262336]Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN)Spanish Ministry of the Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) [AGL2009-11086]Spanish Ministry of the Economy and CompetitivenessRegional Government of Valencia [PROME-TEOH/2014/051]info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Galanin pathogenic mutations in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common epilepsy syndrome with a complex etiology. Despite evidence for the participation of genetic factors, the genetic basis of TLE remains largely unknown. A role for the galanin neuropeptide in the regulation of epileptic seizures has been established in animal models more than two decades ago. However, until now there was no report of pathogenic mutations in GAL, the galanin-encoding gene, and therefore its role in human epilepsy was not established. Here, we studied a family with a pair of monozygotic twins affected by TLE and two unaffected siblings born to healthy parents. Exome sequencing revealed that both twins carried a novel de novo mutation (p.A39E) in the GAL gene. Functional analysis revealed that the p.A39E mutant showed antagonistic activity against galanin receptor 1 (GalR1)-mediated response, and decreased binding affinity and reduced agonist properties for GalR2. These findings suggest that the p.A39E mutant could impair galanin signaling in the hippocampus, leading to increased glutamatergic excitation and ultimately to TLE. In a cohort of 582 cases, we did not observe any pathogenic mutations indicating that mutations in GAL are a rare cause of TLE. The identification of a novel de novo mutation in a biologically-relevant candidate gene, coupled with functional evidence that the mutant protein disrupts galanin signaling, strongly supports GAL as the causal gene for the TLE in this family. Given the availability of galanin agonists which inhibit seizures, our findings could potentially have direct implications for the development of anti-epileptic treatment

Design, Synthesis and Characterization of Galanin Receptor Selective Ligands

Galanin is a 29/30 amino acid long bioactive peptide discovered over 30 years ago when C-terminally amidated peptides were isolated from porcine intestines. The name galanin originates from a combination of the first and last amino acids - G from glycine and the rest from alanine. The first 15 amino acids are highly conserved throughout species, which indicates that the N-terminus is important for receptor recognition and binding. Galanin exerts its effects by binding to three different G protein-coupled receptors, which all differ according to regional distribution, the affinity for shortened galanin fragments, as well as the intracellular G-protein signaling cascade used. When first discovered, galanin was found to cause muscle contraction as well as hyperglycemia.  Over the years, galanin has been reported to be involved in a wide variety of biological functions, for example food intake and neurogenesis, and pathological functions, for example epilepsy and depression. Determining the specific involvement of the three different galanin receptors in biological and pathological processes is limited by the small amount of galanin receptor selective/specific ligands available as research tools. Furthermore, the fast degradation of peptides limits the administration routes in animal studies. This thesis aims at developing new galanin receptor-selective ligands to help delineate the involvement of the three different galanin receptors. Paper 1 presents the shortest galanin fragment with a galanin receptor 2 specific binding preference where only a single amino acid substitution was made, Ala5Ser in galanin (2-11). In addition, G-protein coupled receptor signaling were evaluated through both a classical second messenger assay and a real-time label-free technique in cells overexpressing the receptor as well as low receptor expression. Paper 2 demonstrates that the neuroprotective effects of galanin in a kainic acid-induced excitotoxic animal model were mediated through galanin receptor 1. Furthermore, a new robust protocol for evaluating G-protein signaling using a label-free real time impedance technique was presented and compared to two different classical second-messenger assays. Paper 3 presents a series of systemically active galanin receptor 2 selective ligands subsequently evaluated in two different depression-like animal models. Paper 4 investigates a mutated form of human galanin which was found in epilepsy patients and binding and signaling properties of the mutated associated ligand p.(A39E) was examined. In conclusion, this thesis presents the discovery of eight new galanin ligands, which can be used to evaluate the galaninergic system as well as to help investigate the possible use of peptides as pharmaceuticals in different diseases

Some aspects of calcium metabolism / by Donald D'Arcy Webling.

Typescript191 leavesThesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Biochemistry and General Physiology, 196

Galanin receptors and ligands

The neuropeptide galanin was first discovered 30 years ago. Today, the galanin family consists of galanin, galanin-like peptide (GALP), galanin-message associated peptide (GMAP), and alarin and this family has been shown to be involved in a wide variety of biological and pathological functions. The effect is mediated through three GPCR subtypes, GalR1-3. The limited number of specific ligands to the galanin receptor subtypes has hindered the understanding of the individual effects of each receptor subtype. This review aims to summarize the current data of the importance of the galanin receptor subtypes and receptor subtype specific agonists and antagonists and their involvement in different biological and pathological functions