Activation of the galanin receptor 2 (GalR2) protects the hippocampus from neuronal damage

Expression of the neuropeptide galanin is up-regulated in many brain regions following nerve injury and in the basal forebrain of patients with Alzheimer's disease. We have previously demonstrated that galanin modulates hippocampal neuronal survival, although it was unclear which receptor subtype(s) mediates this effect. Here we report that the protective role played by galanin in hippocampal cultures is abolished in animals carrying a loss-of-function mutation in the second galanin receptor subtype (GalR2-MUT). Exogenous galanin stimulates the phosphorylation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in wild-type (WT) cultures by 435 +/- 5% and 278 +/- 2%, respectively. The glutamate-induced activation of Akt was abolished in cultures from galanin knockout animals, and was markedly attenuated in GalR2-MUT animals, compared with WT controls. In contrast, similar levels of glutamate-induced ERK activation were observed in both loss-of-function mutants, but were further increased in galanin over-expressing animals. Using specific inhibitors of either ERK or Akt confirms that a GalR2-dependent modulation in the activation of the Akt and ERK signalling pathways contributes to the protective effects of galanin. These findings imply that the rise in endogenous galanin observed either after brain injury or in various disease states is an adaptive response that reduces apoptosis by the activation of GalR2, and hence Akt and ERK.     

Molecular characterization of the ligand binding site of the human galanin receptor type 2, identifying subtype selective interactions

To define the specific role of the galanin receptors when mediating the effect of galanin, effective tools for distinct activation and inhibition of the different receptor subtypes are required. Several of the physiological effects modulated by galanin are implicated to be mediated via the GalR2 subtype and have been distinguished from GalR1 effects by utilizing the Gal(2–11) peptide, recognizing only GalR2 and GalR3. In this study, we have performed a mutagenesis approach on the GalR2 subtype and present, for the first time, a molecular characterization of the interactions responsible for ligand binding and receptor activation at this receptor subtype. Our results identify four residues, His²⁵² and His²⁵³ located in transmembrane domain 6 and Phe²⁶⁴ and Tyr²⁷¹ in the extracellular loop 3, to be of great significance. We show evidence for the N-terminal tail of GalR2 to participate in ligand binding and that selective binding of Gal(2–11) includes interaction with the Ile²⁵⁶ residue, located at the very top of TM 6. In conclusion, we present a mutagenesis study on GalR2 and confer interactions responsible for ligand binding and receptor activation as well as selective recognition of the Gal(2–11) peptide at this receptor subtype. The presented observations could be of major importance for the design and development of new and improved peptide and non-peptide ligands, selectively activating the GalR2 subtype.     

Novel systemically active galanin receptor 2 ligands in depression‐like behavior

Neuropeptide galanin and its three G‐protein coupled receptors, galanin receptor type 1–galanin receptor type 3 (GalR1–GalR3), are involved in the regulation of numerous physiological and disease processes, and thus represent tremendous potential in neuroscience research and novel drug lead development. One of the areas where galanin is involved is depression. Previous studies have suggested that activation of GalR2 leads to attenuation of depression‐like behavior. Unfortunately, lack of in vivo usable subtype specific ligands hinders testing the role of galanin in depression mechanisms. In this article, we utilize an approach of increasing in vivo usability of peptide‐based ligands, acting upon CNS. Thus, we have synthesized a series of novel systemically active galanin analogs, with modest preferential binding toward GalR2. We have shown that specific chemical modifications to the galanin backbone increase brain levels upon i.v. injection of the peptides. Several of the new peptides, similar to a common clinically used antidepressant medication imipramine, exerted antidepressant‐like effect in forced swim test, a mouse model of depression, at a surprisingly low dose range (< 0.5 mg/kg). We chose one of the peptides, J18, for more thorough study, and showed its efficacy also in another mouse depression model (tail suspension test), and demonstrated that its antidepressant‐like effect upon i.v. administration can be blocked by i.c.v. galanin receptor antagonist M35. The effect of the J18 was also abolished in GalR2KO animals. All this suggests that systemically administered peptide analog J18 exerts its biological effect through activation of GalR2 in the brain. The novel galanin analogs represent potential drug leads and a novel pharmaceutical intervention for depression.

     

甘丙肽受体的研究进展

目前已经克隆了3种甘丙肽受体（GalR1, GalR2, GalR3）,它们都是与G蛋白相偶联的受体.3种甘丙肽受体的氨基酸序列、药理学特性以及第二信使系统各不相同.GalR1/3受体可以抑制腺苷酸环化酶并可以激活钾通道,GalR2受体可以激活磷脂酶C并增加胞内钙离子浓度.用RNA印迹、反转录PCR以及原位杂交等技术对上述3种甘丙肽受体在人、大鼠和小鼠中的分布进行了研究,发现它们具有不同的分布特征,提示不同的甘丙肽受体可能参与不同的生理过程.     

A Galanin Receptor Subtype 1 Specific Agonist

The chimeric peptide M617, galanin(1–13)-Gln¹⁴-bradykinin(2–9)amide, is a novel galanin receptor ligand with increased subtype specificity for GalR1 and agonistic activity in cultured cells as well as in vivo. Displacement studies on cell membranes expressing hGalR1 or hGalR2 show the presence of a high affinity binding site for M617 on GalR1 (K_i=0.23±.12 nM) while lower affinity was seen towards GalR2 (K_i=5.71±1.28 nM) resulting in 25-fold specificity for GalR1. Activation of GalR1 upon stimulation with M617 is further confirmed by internalization of a GalR1-EGFP conjugate. Intracellular signaling studies show the ability of M617 to inhibit forskolin stimulated cAMP formation with 57% and to produce a 5-fold increase in inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation. Agonistic effects on signal transduction are shown on both receptors studied after treatment with M617 in the presence of galanin. In noradrenergic locus coeruleus neurons, M617 induces an outward current even in the presence of TTX plus Ca²⁺, high Mg²⁺, suggesting a postsynaptic effect. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of M617 dose-dependently stimulates food uptake in rats while, in contrast, M35 completely fails to affect the feeding behavior. Spinal cord flexor reflex is facilitated by intrathecal (i.t.) administration of M617 as well as galanin with no significant change upon pre-treatment with M617. M617 dose dependently antagonizes the spinal cord hyperexcitablility induced by C-fiber conditioning stimulus and does neither enhance nor antagonize the effect of galanin. These data demonstrate a novel galanin receptor ligand with subtype specificity for GalR1 and agonistic activity, both in vitro and in vivo.     

Induction of galanin receptor-1 (GalR1) expression in external granule cell layer of post-natal mouse cerebellum

Galanin is a modulator of fast transmission in adult brain and recent evidence suggests that it also acts as a trophic factor during neurogenesis and neural injury and repair. Previous studies in our laboratory have identified galanin mRNA in Purkinje cells of adult and developing rat (but not adult mouse) cerebellum; and galanin-binding sites in adult mouse (but not rat) cerebellum. The post-natal development of the cerebellum provides a unique and convenient model for the investigation of developmental processes and to learn more about putative cerebellar galanin systems, the current study examined the presence and distribution of galanin-like-immunoreactivity (- LI), [(125)I]-galanin binding sites and galanin receptor-1 (GalR1) mRNA in post-natal mouse cerebellum. Using autoradiography and in situ hybridization, [(125)I]-galanin binding sites and GalR1 mRNA were first detected on post-natal day 10 (P10) in the external germinal layer of all lobes and high levels were maintained until P14. Quantitative real-time PCR assays detected GalR1 mRNA in whole cerebellum across the post-natal period, with a strong induction and peak of expression at P10. Assessment of galanin levels in whole cerebellum by radioimmunoassay revealed relatively similar concentrations from P5 to P20 and in adult mice (80-170 pg/mg protein), with a significantly higher concentration (250 pg/mg, p < 0.01) detected at P3. These concentrations were some four- to six-fold lower than those in adult forebrain samples. Using immunohistochemistry, galanin-like-immuno-reactivity was observed in prominent fibrous elements within the white matter tracts of the cerebellum at P3-5 and in more punctate elements in the internal granule cell layer and associated with the Purkinje cell layer at P12 and P20. Increased levels of GalR1 mRNA and galanin binding (attributed to GalR1) in the external granule cell layer at P10-12/(14) coincide with granule cell migration from the external to the inner granule cell layer and together with demonstrated effects of other neuropeptide-receptor systems suggest a role for GalR1 signalling in regulating this or related developmental processes.     

GalR3 activation promotes adult neural stem cell survival in response to a diabetic milieu

Type 2 diabetes impairs adult neurogenesis which could play a role in the CNS complications of this serious disease. The goal of this study was to determine the potential role of galanin in protecting adult neural stem cells (NSCs) from glucolipotoxicity and to analyze whether apoptosis and the unfolded protein response were involved in the galanin‐mediated effect. We also studied the regulation of galanin and its receptor subtypes under diabetes in NSCs in vitro and in the subventricular zone (SVZ) in vivo. The viability of mouse SVZ‐derived NSCs and the involvement of apoptosis (Bcl‐2, cleaved caspase‐3) and unfolded protein response [C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) Glucose‐regulated protein 78/immunoglobulin heavy‐chain binding protein (GRP78/BiP), spliced X‐box binding protein 1 (XBP1), c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNK) phosphorylation] were assessed in the presence of glucolipotoxic conditions after 24 h. The effect of diabetes on the regulation of galanin and its receptor subtypes was assessed on NSCs in vitro and in SVZ tissues isolated from normal and type 2 diabetes ob/ob mice. We show increased NSC viability following galanin receptor (GalR)3 activation. This protective effect correlated with decreased apoptosis and CHOP levels. We also report how galanin and its receptors are regulated by diabetes in vitro and in vivo. This study shows GalR3‐mediated neuroprotection, supporting a potential future therapeutic development, based on GalR3 activation, for the treatment of brain disorders.

     

Preferential activation by galanin 1–15 fragment of the GalR1 protomer of a GalR1–GalR2 heteroreceptor complex

The three cloned galanin receptors show a higher affinity for galanin than for galanin N-terminal fragments. Galanin fragment (1–15) binding sites were discovered in the rat Central Nervous System, especially in dorsal hippocampus, indicating a relevant role of galanin fragments in central galanin communication. The hypothesis was introduced that these N-terminal galanin fragment preferring sites are formed through the formation of GalR1–GalR2 heteromers which may play a significant role in mediating galanin fragment (1–15) signaling. In HEK293T cells evidence for the existence of GalR1–GalR2 heteroreceptor complexes were obtained with proximity ligation and BRET² assays. PLA positive blobs representing GalR1–GalR2 heteroreceptor complexes were also observed in the raphe-hippocampal system. In CRE luciferase reporter gene assays, galanin (1–15) was more potent than galanin (1–29) in inhibiting the forskolin-induced increase of luciferase activity in GalR1–GalR2 transfected cells. The inhibition of CREB by 50 nM of galanin (1–15) and of galanin (1–29) was fully counteracted by the non-selective galanin antagonist M35 and the selective GalR2 antagonist M871. These results suggested that the orthosteric agonist binding site of GalR1 protomer may have an increased affinity for the galanin (1–15) vs galanin (1–29) which can lead to its demonstrated increase in potency to inhibit CREB vs galanin (1–29). In contrast, in NFAT reporter gene assays galanin (1–29) shows a higher efficacy than galanin (1–15) in increasing Gq/11 mediated signaling over the GalR2 of these heteroreceptor complexes. This disbalance in the signaling of the GalR1–GalR2 heteroreceptor complexes induced by galanin (1–15) may contribute to depression-like actions since GalR1 agonists produce such effects.     

Galanin receptor 1 deletion exacerbates hippocampal neuronal loss after systemic kainate administration in mice

Background

Galanin is a neuropeptide with a wide distribution in the central and peripheral nervous systems and whose physiological effects are mediated through three G protein-coupled receptor subtypes, GalR1, GalR2, and GalR3. Several lines of evidence indicate that galanin, as well as activation of the GalR1 receptor, is a potent and effective modulator of neuronal excitability in the hippocampus.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In order to test more formally the potential influence of GalR1 on seizure-induced excitotoxic cell death, we conducted functional complementation tests in which transgenic mice that exhibit decreased expression of the GalR1 candidate mRNA underwent kainate-induced status epilepticus to determine if the quantitative trait of susceptibility to seizure-induced cell death is determined by the activity of GalR1. In the present study, we report that reduction of GalR1 mRNA via null mutation or injection of the GalR1 antagonist, galantide, prior to kainate-induced status epilepticus induces hippocampal damage in a mouse strain known to be highly resistant to kainate-induced neuronal injury. Wild-type and GalR1 knockout mice were subjected to systemic kainate administration. Seven days later, Nissl and NeuN immune- staining demonstrated that hippocampal cell death was significantly increased in GalR1 knockout strains and in animals injected with the GalR1 antagonist. Compared to GalR1-expressing mice, GalR1-deficient mice had significantly larger hippocampal lesions after status epilepticus.

Conclusions/Significance

Our results suggest that a reduction of GalR1 expression in the C57BL/6J mouse strain renders them susceptible to excitotoxic injury following systemic kainate administration. From these results, GalR1 protein emerges as a new molecular target that may have a potential therapeutic value in modulating seizure-induced cell death.     

Regulation of galanin and galanin receptor 2 expression by capsaicin in primary cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons

Galanin is a 29-amino-acid neuropeptide expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons which is thought to play a role in modulation of nociception in neuropathic states. Activation of galanin receptor 2 (GalR2) plays a pronociceptive role and enhances capsaicin-induced nociception in the periphery. GalR2 and vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1) are co-expressed in DRG neurons. Capsaicin evokes acute pain via activation of VR1 expressed in primary sensory neurons. It is not known to what extent galanin and its receptor GalR2 expression is regulated by capsaicin in DRG neurons. Effects of acute (4 h) or chronic (4 d) treatment with capsaicin at different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1 micromol/L) on galanin and GalR2 expression in primary cultured DRG neurons were investigated in the present study. Our results showed that acute exposure of high concentration capsaicin (1 micromol/L) increased galanin expression, whereas chronic exposure of low concentration capsaicin (0.01, 0.1 micromol/L) promoted galanin expression. Only chronic exposure of 0.1 micromol/L concentration capsaicin could elevate GalR2 expression, whereas capsaicin did not have this effect at any other conditions in this experiment. These results indicated that certain concentrations or exposure time of capsaicin stimulation may be relevant to upregulation of galanin and its receptor GalR2 expression in DRG cultures suggesting a response to peripheral neuronal stimulation. And also, capsaicin-induced GalR2 expression may be also modulated by capsaicin-induced galanin expression. The possible significance of the neurotransmission of nociceptive information involved in galanin or GalR2 expression caused by capsaicin is still to be clarified.     

GalR1, but not GalR2 or GalR3, levels are regulated by galanin signaling in the locus coeruleus through a cyclic AMP-dependent mechanism

The galanin receptors GalR1, GalR2 and GalR3 are widely expressed throughout the mouse brain and are enriched in catecholaminergic nuclei. Here, we show that GalR1 protein levels are regulated by neuronal activity and changes in cAMP levels. GalR1, but not GalR2 or GalR3, is specifically up-regulated in the LC-like Cath.a cell line in a cAMP-dependent manner. GalR1 protein and mRNA levels are also up-regulated in the LC of galanin knockout mice, whereas GalR2 and GalR3 are not. Lack of galanin-maintained cAMP tone in the galanin knockout mouse appears to result in a loss of negative feedback resulting in increased levels of CREB phosphorylation and increased GalR1 expression. These findings suggest that changes in levels of GalR1 may play an important role in modulating signaling events and neuroplasticity underlying physiological functions of the LC.     

综述与专论：甘丙肽对抑郁症状的调控作用及其机制的研究进展

甘丙肽(galanin, GAL)作为治疗抑郁症的可能靶点被关注已久,但目前仍未有广泛应用的GAL类抗抑郁药物。GAL可与3种G蛋白偶联受体(GalR1～3)结合,GalR1和GalR3介导促进抑郁的作用,GalR2介导抗抑郁的作用。GAL的N端有生物活性的片段GAL (1-15),通过其受体GalR1-GalR2异聚体(heteromer),介导比GAL更强的调节抑郁效应。GAL (1-15)还可以通过GalR1-GalR2异聚体与5-羟色胺1A受体(5-HT1AR)相互作用形成GalR1-GalR2-5-HT1AR异聚体的方式,加强5-HT1AR激动剂的抗抑郁效果。此外,GAL及其受体还与去甲肾上腺素、神经肽Y、脑源性神经营养因子、多巴胺等递质或因子交互作用调节抑郁。本文梳理GAL及其受体对抑郁的调节作用及其可能机制,并对以GAL及其受体为靶点开发的药物应用于临床治疗抑郁症的可能性进行探讨。     

甘丙肽对抑郁症状的调控作用及其机制的研究进展

甘丙肽(galanin, GAL)作为治疗抑郁症的可能靶点被关注已久,但目前仍未有广泛应用的GAL类抗抑郁药物。GAL可与3种G蛋白偶联受体(GalR1~3)结合,GalR1和GalR3介导促进抑郁的作用,GalR2介导抗抑郁的作用。GAL的N端有生物活性的片段GAL (1-15),通过其受体GalR1-GalR2异聚体(heteromer),介导比GAL更强的调节抑郁效应。GAL (1-15)还可以通过GalR1-GalR2异聚体与5-羟色胺1A受体(5-HT1AR)相互作用形成GalR1-GalR2-5-HT1AR异聚体的方式,加强5-HT1AR激动剂的抗抑郁效果。此外,GAL及其受体还与去甲肾上腺素、神经肽Y、脑源性神经营养因子、多巴胺等递质或因子交互作用调节抑郁。本文梳理GAL及其受体对抑郁的调节作用及其可能机制,并对以GAL及其受体为靶点开发的药物应用于临床治疗抑郁症的可能性进行探讨。     

Membrane cholesterol modulates galanin-GalR2 interaction.

The neuropeptide galanin mediates a number of diverse physiological and pathophysiological actions via interaction with membrane-bound receptors. The role that membrane cholesterol plays in modulating the interaction between galanin and one of the three cloned galanin receptor subtypes (GalR2) expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells was examined. Reduction of membrane cholesterol by treatment with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (CD) or by culturing cells in lipoprotein-deficient serum markedly decreased galanin binding to the receptor. Addition of cholesterol back to CD-treated, cholesterol-depleted membranes restored galanin binding to control levels. Hill analysis suggests that the GalR2 binds multiple molecules of cholesterol (n >/= 3) in a positively cooperative manner. This interaction appears to be cholesterol-specific as only cholesterol and a limited number of cholesterol analogues were able to rescue galanin binding. The inability of some of these analogues to rescue the binding activity also suggests that binding of galanin to GalR2 is independent of membrane fluidity as, like cholesterol, cholesterol analogues generally rigidize membranes. In addition, treatment of the membranes with other modulators of membrane fluidity, e.g. ethanol, did not affect galanin binding to the GalR2. In contrast, treatment of membranes, with filipin, a molecule that clusters cholesterol within the membranes, or with cholesterol oxidase resulted in markedly reduced galanin binding. Incubation of membranes with 100 microM GTP-gamma-S did not alter the IC(50) for CD in the prebinding assay treatment suggesting that the effect of cholesterol was independent of G protein interaction. Preincubation of intact cells with CD also drastically impaired the ability of galanin to activate intracellular inositol phosphate accumulation in GalR2-transfected CHO cells. These data detail a new mechanism for the regulation of galanin receptor signaling which may link altered functions of GalRs with abnormal cholesterol metabolism.     

The Mouse GalR2 Galanin Receptor: Genomic Organization, cDNA Cloning, and Functional Characterization

Abstract: The diverse physiological actions of galanin are thought to be mediated through activation of galanin receptors (GalRs). We report the genomic and cDNA cloning of a mouse GalR that possesses a genomic structure distinct from that of GalR1 and encodes a functional galanin receptor. The mouse GalR gene consists of two exons separated by a single intron within the protein-coding region. The splicing site for the intron is located at the junction between the third transmembrane domain and the second intracellular loop. The cDNA encodes a 370-amino acid putative G protein-coupled receptor that is markedly different from human GalR1 and rat GalR3 (38 and 57%) but shares high homology with rat GalR2 (94%). In binding studies utilizing membranes from COS-7 cells transfected with mouse GalR2 cDNA, the receptor displayed high affinity ( K _D = 0.47 n M ) and saturable binding with ¹²⁵I-galanin ( B _max = 670 fmol/mg). The radioligand binding can be displaced by galanin and its analogues in a rank order: galanin ⋍ M40 ⋍ M15 ⋍ M35 ⋍ C7 ⋍ galanin (2–29) ⋍ galanin (1–16) ≫ galanin (10–29) ⋍ galanin (3–29), which resembles the pharmacological profile of the rat GalR2. Receptor activation by galanin in COS-7 cells stimulated phosphoinositide metabolism, which was not reversed by pertussis toxin. Thus, the galanin receptor encoded in the cloned mouse GalR gene is the type 2 galanin receptor and is active in both ligand binding and signaling assays.     

甘丙肽对PC12细胞和B104细胞增殖的不同影响

本实验运用PCI2细胞和B104细胞对甘丙肽（GAL）在神经增殖上的作用进行了研究。运用RT-PCR方法检测GAL及其受体在PCI2细胞和B104细胞中的表达：运用MTT法检测GAL及其受体激动剂、拮抗剂对两种细胞增殖的影响。结果显示：PCI2细胞表达所有三种GAL受体（GalRs）．而不表达GAL;B104细胞表达GAL及两种受体GaIR2和GalR3,而不表达GalRl;GAL及其受体激动剂GAL1-11和GAL2-11能够明显地抑制PC12细胞增殖、却会明显促进B104细胞的增殖。这些效应皆可被非特异性GAL受体拮抗剂M35所阻断。结果说明,GAL可以通过其受体影响细胞的增殖．并且不同受体可能介导不同的作用。     

甘丙肽提高离体海马神经细胞在过氧化氢损伤中的存活率

实验运用离体培养的大鼠海马神经细胞,观察了过氧化氢对海马神经细胞的损伤效应及甘丙肽(GAL)对氧化应激过程中海马神经细胞的保护作用。结果显示,过氧化氢对海马神经细胞具有明显的剂量相关毒性效应。甘丙肽以及甘丙肽非特异性受体激动剂GAL1-11和甘丙肽受体2 (GalR-2)特异性激动剂GAL2-11能显著减少海马神经细胞在氧化应激过程中的损伤反应,这种效应可被GAL非特异性受体阻断剂M35阻断。实验提示GAL对氧化应激导致的海马神经细胞损伤具有保护作用,这种作用很有可能是由GalR-2受体介导。