High impact information on GALR2

• Activation of the galanin receptor 2 (GalR2) protects the hippocampus from neuronal damage [1].
• Receptor subtype specificity was investigated by replacement of residues in hGALR1 with the corresponding residues in hGALR2 and use of the hGALR2-specific ligands hGalanin(2-30) and [D-Trp2]hGalanin(1-30) [2].
• A wide tissue distribution is observed by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR analysis, with human GALR2 mRNA being detected in many areas of the human central nervous system as well as in peripheral tissues [3].
• By RT-PCR, GALR2 mRNA was abundant in human hippocampus, hypothalamus, heart, kidney, liver, and small intestine [4].
• A weak GALR2 mRNA signal was detected in human retina, and no signal was detected in cerebral cortex, lung, spleen, stomach, or pituitary [4].

Biological context of GALR2

• We have used homology genomic library screening and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques to isolate both genomic and cDNA clones encoding the human homolog of the recently cloned rat GALR2 galanin receptor [3].
• When reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used with different GALR-specific primers, only GALR2 mRNA was identified in cultured HaCaT cells and keratinocytes [5].
• By fluorescence in situ hybridization, the gene encoding human GALR2 (GALNR2) has been localized to chromosome 17q25 [3].

Anatomical context of GALR2

• Sequencing of the PCR products proved the presence of GALR2 mRNA in the keratinocytes [5].
• Immunohistochemical investigations of normal human skin specimens revealed that GALR2 was expressed with high intensity in the basal layer of the epidermis and also around the hair follicles in the dermis [5].
• On the other hand, stimulation of the GAL2 receptor at the raphe level by local application of the GAL2 receptor agonist galanin (2-11) has been shown to increase serotonin levels in the hippocampus and dorsal raphe [6].

Associations of GALR2 with chemical compounds

• Galanin enhances corticosterone secretion from dispersed rat adrenocortical cells through the activation of GAL-R1 and GAL-R2 receptors coupled to the adenylate cyclase-dependent signaling cascade [7].
• We conclude that rat inner adrenocortical cells express GAL-R1 and GAL-R2 as mRNA and protein, and galanin stimulates corticosterone secretion acting via these receptor subtypes which are both coupled to the adenylate cyclase/PKA-dependent signaling pathway [7].

Other interactions of GALR2

• GAL treatment of the keratinocytes resulted in an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, suggesting that GALR2 is a functional receptor [5].
• This conservation of structural organization is indicative of a common evolutionary origin for GALNR2 and GALNR3 [8].

References