Galanin-like peptide (GALP) mRNA expression is restricted to arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus in adult male rat brain

Abstract

Galanin-like peptide (GALP) is a novel 60-amino acid neuropeptide, isolated from porcine hypothalamus and subsequently identified in rats and humans, which has reported selectivity for the Gal-R2 galanin receptor [Ohtaki T et al: J Biol Chem 1999; 274: 37041-37045]. In the current study, the regional and cellular distribution of GALP mRNA in rat brain has been investigated by in situ hybridization of [35S]-labelled oligonucleotide probes. In a thorough screening of adult male rat brain, GALP mRNA expression was detected only throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the arcuate nucleus (ARC) with the most abundant hybridization signal in the posterior, periventricular zones. GALP mRNA-positive n..