The molecular biology of scrapie: the last two years

Galanin and/or GAL-like peptide(s) are distributed throughout the body in most mammalian species. Their physiological function and/or pathophysiological importance remain to be elucidated. The production and secretion of a pre-galanin message peptide and a galanin message-associated peptide (GMAP), or a fragment thereof, has yet to be established, and the regulation of the GAL message remains to be studied. Functional as well as immunohistochemical data so far suggest that a GAL-like peptide may be involved in the local regulation of pancreatic endocrine function, gastro-intestinal motility, growth hormone and prolaction release, feeding behavior and primary sensory input. The detailed mapping of GAL-LI in several mammalian species to date hints at the many biological actions of this newly discovered, widely distributed neuropeptide, and allows studies of GAL function to be planned.