Functional analysis of Galanin-like peptide (GALP) in feeding regulation

下丘脑在调节摄食行为、能量代谢和生殖方面起着关键作用。在猪下丘脑中发现了一个新的多肽，它含有60个氨基酸和一个非酰胺化的C末端。由于这种多肽的一部分与甘丙素同源，故将其命名为甘丙素样肽(GALP)。GALP主要在下丘脑弓状核产生。Galp作用于中枢神经系统，在那里它参与了摄食行为的调节。产生Galp的神经元与几个与摄食相关的产生肽的神经元组成神经元网络。由于GALP控制食物摄入量和能量平衡，因此GALP可能是肥胖发生的一个重要因素。此外，我们还成功地获得了在含GALP的神经元中表达绿色荧光(EGFP)的转基因(TG)小鼠，也成功地获得了在脑内GALP传入神经元中表达EGFP的转基因小鼠。结果表明，含有GALP的神经元从梨状皮质和杏仁核进行突触输入。因此，GALP可能参与摄食行为、能量代谢和生殖，对GALP的形态和功能的进一步研究应继续证明对脑功能的进一步了解。

The hypothalamus plays a critical role in regulation of feeding behavior, energy metabolism and reproduction. A novel peptide discovered in porcine hypothalamus has 60 amino acid peptide and a non-amidated C-terminus. Since a portion of this peptide is homology with galanin, it is named galanin-like peptide (GALP). GALP is mainly produced in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. GALP acts in the central nervous system, where it is involved in the regulation of feeding behavior. GALP-producing neurons make neuron networks with several feeding related peptide- producing neurons. Since GALP controls food intake and energy balance, it is possible that GALP is an important factor in development of obesity. Furthermore, we have succeeded to make transgenic (Tg) mice that express green fluorescence (EGFP) in GALP-containing neurons and also to make Tg mice that express EGFP in afferent GALP neurons in brain. As a result, it appeares that GALP-containing neurons make synaptic input from the piriform cortex and amygdala. Therefore, GALP may involve in feeding behavior, energy metabolism and reproduction, further studies on the morphology and function of GALP should continue to demonstrate further the understanding in brain function.