- Malaga, Spain
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Galanin (GAL) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are neuropeptides involved in behaviors associated with anxiety. Both neuropeptides interact in several central functions. However, the potential behavioral and cellular interactions between them in... more
Galanin (GAL) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are neuropeptides involved in behaviors associated with anxiety. Both neuropeptides interact in several central functions. However, the potential behavioral and cellular interactions between them in anxiety are unknown. GAL was found to act through GAL receptor 2 (GALR2) to enhance NPYY1 receptor (NPYY1R)-mediated anxiolytic behaviors in rats. Using receptor autoradiography, c-Fos expression and in situ proximity ligation assay, the medial paracapsular intercalated nuclei of the amygdala were determined to be a key area in the interaction probably involving the formation of GALR2/NPYY1R heteroreceptor complexes. In cell cultures costimulation of GALR2 and NPYY1R induced changes in the functions of these receptors. The changes involved a potentiation of the decrease in the phosphorylation of CREB induced by NPYY1R and a delay in the internalization of NPYY1R. These results indicate that GALR2/NPYY1R interactions can provide a novel integrative a...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
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,... more
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 BRET(2) 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. ...
Research Interests:
Galanin (GAL) plays a role in mood regulation. In this study we analyzed the action of the active N-terminal fragment [GAL(1-15)] in anxiety- and depression-related behavioral test in rats. The effect of GAL(1-15) was analyzed in the... more
Galanin (GAL) plays a role in mood regulation. In this study we analyzed the action of the active N-terminal fragment [GAL(1-15)] in anxiety- and depression-related behavioral test in rats. The effect of GAL(1-15) was analyzed in the forced swimming test, tail suspension test, open field and light/dark test. The proximity of GAL1 and GAL2receptors was examined with the proximity ligation assay (PLA). We tested the GAL receptors involved in GAL(1-15) effects with the GAL2receptor antagonist M871 and with an in vivo model of siRNA GAL2receptor knockdown or siRNA GAL1receptor knockdown rats. The effects of GAL(1-15) were also studied in the cell line RN33B. GAL(1-15) induced strong depression-like and anxiogenic-like effects in all the tests. These effects were stronger than the ones induced by GAL. The involvement of the GAL2receptor was demonstrated with M871 and with the siRNA GAL2receptor knockdown rats. The PLA indicated the possible existence of GAL1-GAL2 heteroreceptor complexes...