The human galanin receptor: ligand-binding and functional characteristics in the Bowes melanoma cell line.

The human galanin receptor has been characterized pharmacologically from the Bowes melanoma cell line. Using porcine [125I]galanin as the radioligand, a single population of non-interacting high-affinity binding sites (KD = 0.05 +/- 0.

Molecular cloning of a functional human galanin receptor.

The ubiquitous neuropeptide galanin controls numerous functions such as endocrine secretions, intestinal motility, and behavioral activities. These regulatory effects of galanin are mediated through the interaction with specific membrane receptors and involve the pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide binding proteins Gi/Go as transducing elements. We report here the isolation of a cDNA coding for a human galanin receptor from a Bowes melanoma cell line cDNA expression library, by using a radioligand binding strategy.

Intracellular Ca2+ signals in human-derived pancreatic somatostatin-secreting cells (QGP-1N).

Single-cell microfluorimetry techniques have been used to examine the effects of acetylcholine (0.1-100 microM) on the intracellular free calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a human-derived pancreatic somatostatin-secreting cell line, QGP-1N. When applied to the bath solution, acetylcholine was found to evoke a marked and rapid increase in [Ca2+]i at all concentrations tested.

Galanin receptors in human hypothalamus: biochemical and structural analysis.

Galanin receptors have been characterized in normal human hypothalamus using 125I-galanin binding assays. Competition experiments of porcine 125I-galanin binding to human hypothalamic membranes with native human, porcine and rat galanin (10(-11) M to 10(-8) M) gave comparable results with IC50 close to 0.1 nM.

Receptors for gut regulatory peptides.

Receptors for regulatory peptides (hormones or neurotransmitters) play a pivotal role in the ability of cells to taste the rich neuroendocrine environment of the gut. Recognition of low concentration of peptides with a high specificity and translation of the peptide-receptor interaction into a biological response through different signalling pathways (adenylyl cyclase-cAMP or phospholipase C-phosphatidylinositol) are crucial properties of receptors. While many new receptors have been identified and thereafter characterized functionally during the 1980s, molecular biology now emerges as the privileged way for the structural characterization and discovery of receptors.