Galanin Receptor 2 Antibodies

Galanin receptor 2 (GAL₂), encoded by GALR2, is a class A G protein-coupled receptor activated by the endogenous peptides galanin, galanin-like peptide, and spexin. It couples predominantly to Gq/11, activating phospholipase C and increasing intracellular calcium, and can also engage Gi/o-dependent pathways in some cellular contexts. GAL₂ expression has been reported in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and peripheral sensory neurons. Experimental studies implicate the receptor in neuronal survival, neurite outgrowth, and the modulation of pain and stress-related behavior. Galanin promotes β-arrestin recruitment and receptor internalization, whereas spexin induces substantially less internalization in recombinant systems. These differences illustrate ligand-dependent regulation of GAL₂ signaling and trafficking. The synthetic peptide M1145 is used as a GAL₂-selective agonist, while M871 is an experimental GAL₂-preferring antagonist. No GAL₂-selective drug has been reported to enter clinical trials or receive approval for therapeutic use. GAL2 receptor desensitization, β-arrestin recruitment and internalization are regulated by phosphorylation of carboxyl-terminal threonine329/serine331/serine333 (pT329/pS331-GAL2 and pT331/pS333-GAL2) and serine339/serine340 (pS339/pS340-GAL2). This nomenclature refers to the human GAL2 receptor. For more information on GAL2 pharmacology please refer to the IUPHAR database. For further reading refer to:

Lang R, Gundlach AL, Holmes FE, Hobson SA, Wynick D, Hökfelt T, Kofler B. Physiology, signaling, and pharmacology of galanin peptides and receptors: three decades of emerging diversity. Pharmacol Rev. 2015;67(1):118-75. doi: 10.1124/pr.112.006536. PMID: 25428932.

Gundlach AL, Ryan PJ. Galanin receptors (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database. IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology CITE. 2019; 2019(4).