GAL Gene

GAL Gene

Introduction

Gal Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

<div class="infobox infobox-gene"> [@crawley2018]
<div class="infobox-header">GAL</div> [@liu2019]
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Full Name:</strong> Galanin</div> [@counts2008]
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Chromosome:</strong> 11q13.2</div> [@holmes2008]
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>NCBI Gene ID:</strong> [6447](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/6447)</div> [@lang2022]
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Ensembl ID:</strong> [ENSG00000178394](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000178394)</div> [@mazarati2018]
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>OMIM:</strong> [137035](https://www.omim.org/entry/137035)</div> [@kuteeva2008]
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>UniProt:</strong> [P60880](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P60880)</div>
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Associated Diseases:</strong> [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), Depression, Epilepsy, Pain Disorders</div>
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Protein Class:</strong> Neuropeptide, GPCR ligand</div>
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Brain Expression:</strong> High in hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, dorsal raphe</div>
</div>

Pathway Diagram

GAL Gene

Introduction

Gal Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

<div class="infobox infobox-gene"> [@crawley2018]
<div class="infobox-header">GAL</div> [@liu2019]
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Full Name:</strong> Galanin</div> [@counts2008]
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Chromosome:</strong> 11q13.2</div> [@holmes2008]
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>NCBI Gene ID:</strong> [6447](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/6447)</div> [@lang2022]
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Ensembl ID:</strong> [ENSG00000178394](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000178394)</div> [@mazarati2018]
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>OMIM:</strong> [137035](https://www.omim.org/entry/137035)</div> [@kuteeva2008]
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>UniProt:</strong> [P60880](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P60880)</div>
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Associated Diseases:</strong> [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), Depression, Epilepsy, Pain Disorders</div>
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Protein Class:</strong> Neuropeptide, GPCR ligand</div>
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Brain Expression:</strong> High in hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, dorsal raphe</div>
</div>

Pathway Diagram

Knowledge graph relationships for GAL (282 total edges in KG)

Overview

Galanin is a 30-amino acid neuropeptide encoded by the GAL gene on chromosome 11q13.2 that acts as a widespread neuromodulator in the central and peripheral nervous systems[@tatemoto1983]. Galanin is unique among neuropeptides in its ability to co-exist with classical neurotransmitters, particularly [acetylcholine](/entities/acetylcholine) and norepinephrine, allowing it to fine-tune neuronal circuits involved in cognition, mood, pain processing, and neuroprotection.

Normal Function

The GAL gene encodes preprogalanin, which is processed to galanin (1-29) and galanin message-associated peptide (GMAP). Galanin is widely distributed in the brain and peripheral tissues[@crawley2018].

Neuromodulation

• Co-released with acetylcholine in basal forebrain
• Modulates norepinephrine in locus coeruleus
• Inhibits glutamate release
• Reduces GABAergic transmission

Cognitive Functions

• Influences learning and memory
• Modulates hippocampal synaptic plasticity
• Role in attention and arousal

Pain and Sensory Processing

• Involved in pain transmission and modulation
• Alters nociceptive processing
• Effects in spinal cord dorsal horn

Energy Homeostasis

• Regulates food intake
• Modulates energy expenditure
• Interactions with orexigenic pathways

Expression Pattern

Galanin shows widespread expression:

| Brain Region | Expression Level | Functional Significance |
|--------------|------------------|------------------------|
| Hypothalamus | Very High | Energy homeostasis |
| Hippocampus | High | Memory, plasticity |
| Amygdala | High | Emotional processing |
| Dorsal Raphe | High | Mood, serotonin interaction |
| Locus Coeruleus | High | Arousal, attention |
| Spinal Cord | High | Pain modulation |
| [Cortex](/brain-regions/cortex) | Moderate | Cognition |

Molecular Mechanisms

Galanin signals through three G-protein coupled receptors (GALR1, GALR2, GALR3), each with unique signaling properties[@liu2019]:

Receptor Signaling Pathways

• GALR1: Gi/o-coupled, inhibits cAMP, hyperpolarizes [neurons](/entities/neurons)
• GALR2: Gq/11-coupled, activates PLC, increases intracellular calcium
• GALR3: Gi/o-coupled, similar to GALR1

Intracellular Signaling

• Inhibition of adenylate cyclase
• Activation of phospholipase C
• Modulation of potassium channels
• MAPK pathway activation

Disease Associations

Alzheimer's Disease

Parkinson's Disease

Depression

Epilepsy

Pain Disorders

Therapeutic Implications

Galanin Receptor Ligands

Potential Applications

• Cognitive enhancement in AD
• Mood regulation
• Anticonvulsant therapy
• Pain management

Research Directions

Animal Models

Knockout Mice

• GALR1 knockout: increased anxiety, seizures
• GALR2 knockout: impaired nerve regeneration
• GALR3 knockout: altered stress response

Transgenic Models

• Galanin overexpression: neuroprotection
• Galanin depletion: cognitive deficits

Clinical Relevance

Galanin system modulation offers potential for:

• Neurodegeneration: Cognitive enhancement in AD
• Psychiatric: Depression, anxiety treatment
• Neurology: Anticonvulsant effects
• Pain: Analgesic or algesic modulation

See Also

• [Genes Index](/genes)
• [Proteins Index](/proteins)
• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
• [Hypothalamus](/brain-regions/hypothalamus)
• [Hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus)
• [Amygdala](/cell-types/basolateral-amygdala)

External Links

• [NCBI Gene: GAL](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/6447)
• [UniProt: Galanin](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P60880)
• [Ensembl: GAL](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000178394)

Background

The study of Gal Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.

Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.

Allen Brain Atlas Resources

The Allen Brain Atlas provides comprehensive gene expression data across brain regions and cell types.

• [Allen Human Brain Atlas](https://human.brain-map.org/) — Gene expression data across the adult human brain
• [Allen Mouse Brain Atlas](https://mouse.brain-map.org/) — Gene expression in mouse brain
• [Allen Cell Type Atlas](https://celltypes.brain-map.org/) — Single-cell transcriptomics data
• [Allen Brain Map Portal](https://portal.brain-map.org/) — Access to all Allen Institute brain data

• [Human Brain Atlas search for GAL](https://human.brain-map.org/microarray/search/show?search_term=GAL)
• [Mouse Brain Atlas search for GAL](https://mouse.brain-map.org/search/index.html?query=GAL)

References

Pathway Diagram

The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving GAL Gene discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis: