Neuroendocrinology of Galanin-Like Peptide (GALP)

甘丙肽样肽（GALP）的神经内分泌学

• 批准号: 0110686
• 负责人: Robert Steiner
• 金额: $ 36.23万
• 依托单位: University of Washington
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2001
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2001-09-01 至 2005-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0110686&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Neuroendocrinology; Galanin; Like; Peptide; GALP

Molecular compounds in the brain called neuropeptides often regulate physiological functions, acting similarly to hormones. A new member of the family of neuropeptides known as galanins recently has been isolated in mammals and called galanin-like peptide (GALP). Preliminary evidence suggests that GALP plays a role in the neuroendocrine regulation of pituitary functions, but little is yet known about the functions of this compound. This project uses neuroanatomical, physiological and molecular biological techniques to reveal the anatomical circuitry of the cells containing GALP, to discover how and where the expression of GALP occurs, and to develop a mutant mouse model with a targeted deletion of the GALP gene to reveal physiological functions. Results of these studies should provide a novel understanding of possible roles for this molecule in physiological processes such as regulation of metabolism, body weight, reproduction, lactation and growth. This exploratory project has both high risk and high potential impact. It remains unknown what the specific discoveries will be, but novel data are likely to have major importance, extending beyond neuroendocrinology to regulatory physiology and developmental biology. Graduate and postdoctoral training will also be done in a laboratory with a long record of excellence.

大脑中被称为神经肽的分子化合物经常调节生理功能，作用类似于激素。最近在哺乳动物中分离出一种神经肽家族的新成员，称为甘丙肽样肽（GALP）。初步证据表明GALP在垂体功能的神经内分泌调节中起作用，但对该化合物的功能知之甚少。本项目利用神经解剖学、生理学和分子生物学技术揭示含GALP细胞的解剖回路，发现GALP的表达方式和发生位置，并建立GALP基因靶向缺失的突变小鼠模型，揭示其生理功能。这些研究结果将为该分子在代谢、体重、繁殖、哺乳和生长等生理过程中的可能作用提供新的认识。该勘探项目风险高，潜在影响大。目前尚不清楚具体的发现将是什么，但新的数据可能具有重要意义，从神经内分泌学扩展到调节生理学和发育生物学。研究生和博士后的培训也将在一个长期卓越记录的实验室进行。