Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2020 Apr 21:14:37-45.
doi: 10.2147/BTT.S240715. eCollection 2020.

Galanin Receptors as Drug Target for Novel Antidepressants: Review

Desalegn Getnet Demsie  1 , Birhanetensay Masresha Altaye  2 , Etsay Weldekidan  1 , Hagazi Gebremedhin  1 , Niguse Meles Alema  3 , Mulugeta Mihrete Tefera  3 , Abere Tilahun Bantie  4
Affiliations
Review

Galanin Receptors as Drug Target for Novel Antidepressants: Review

Desalegn Getnet Demsie et al. Biologics. .

Abstract

Galanin (GAL) is a 29-amino-acid neuropeptide that serves multiple physiological functions throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. Its role involves in a range of physiological and pathological functions including control of food intake, neuro-protection, neuronal regeneration, energy expenditure, reproduction, water balance, mood, nociception and various neuroendocrine functions. The use of currently available antidepressant drugs raises concerns regarding efficacy and onset of action; therefore, the need for antidepressants with novel mechanisms is increasing. Presently, various studies revealed the link between GAL and depression. Attenuation of depressive symptoms is achieved through inhibition of GalR1 and GalR3 and activation of GalR2. However, lack of receptor selectivity of ligands has limited the complete elucidation of effects of different receptors in depression-like behavior. Studies have suggested that GAL enhances the action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and promotes availability of transcription proteins. This review addresses the role of GAL, GAL receptors (GALRs) ligands including selective peptides, and the mechanism of ligand receptor interaction in attenuating depressive symptoms.

Keywords: Galanin (GAL); Galanin (GAL) receptors; depression.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

References

    1. Melander T, Hökfelt T, Rökaeus A. Distribution of galaninlike immunoreactivity in the rat central nervous system. J Comp Neurol. 1986;248(4):475–517. doi:10.1002/cne.v248:4 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Fuxe K, Agnati LF, Von Euler G, et al. Galanin/5-HT receptor interactions. A new integrative mechanism in the control of 5-HT neurotransmission in the central nervous system In: Paoletti R,Vonhoutte PM,Brunello N, Maggi FM, editors. Serotonin. Dordrecht: Springer; 1990:169–185.
    1. Xu IS, Grass S, Xu XJ, Wiesenfeld-Hallin Z. On the role of galanin in mediating spinal flexor reflex excitability in inflammation. Neurosci. 1998;85(3):827–835. doi:10.1016/S0306-4522(97)00676-3 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Lu X, Barr AM, Kinney JW, et al. A role for galanin in antidepressant actions with a focus on the dorsal raphe nucleus. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2005;102(3):874–879. doi:10.1073/pnas.0408891102 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Kask K, Langel Ü, Bartfai T. Galanin—a neuropeptide with inhibitory actions. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 1995;15(6):653–673. doi:10.1007/BF02071130 - DOI - PMC - PubMed