Neuroendocrinology of Galanin-Like Peptide (GALP)

大脑中称为神经肽的分子化合物经常调节生理功能，其作用类似于荷尔蒙。最近在哺乳动物中分离到了神经肽家族中的一个新成员，称为甘丙素样肽(GALP)。初步证据表明，GALP在垂体功能的神经内分泌调节中发挥作用，但对这种化合物的功能知之甚少。该项目利用神经解剖学、生理学和分子生物学技术，揭示含有GALP的细胞的解剖回路，发现GALP的表达方式和位置，并建立GALP基因靶向缺失的突变小鼠模型，以揭示生理功能。这些研究的结果应该为该分子在生理过程中可能的作用提供一个新的理解，如调节新陈代谢、体重、生殖、哺乳和生长。这一勘探项目既有高风险，又有潜在影响。目前还不清楚具体的发现会是什么，但新的数据可能会有重大意义，从神经内分泌学延伸到调节生理学和发育生物学。研究生和博士后培训也将在拥有长期卓越记录的实验室进行。

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.