Galanin-Like Peptide (human)

Galanin-like peptide (GALP) is a 60 amino acid neuropeptide first isolated from the porcine hypothalamus and subsequently also identified in rats and humans. GALP exhibits a higher affinity (~18-fold) for the GALR2 receptor compared to the GALR1 receptor, whereas galanin is relatively non-selective. Investigations of the physiological role of GALP revealed that GALP induces food intake with a ten times higher orexigenic activity than galanin. Furthermore, GALP could affect the emotional state in the CNS. Therefore, GALP represents an orexigenic and anxiogenic peptide.