The Revolutionary Search for Alarin

The Revolutionary Search for Alarin

Paulina PhomvongsaDr. Fraley’s Lab

Paulina PhomvongsaDr. Fraley’s Lab

How Alarin and its Relation to GALP May Impact Society

FrameworkFramework Overview

What is GALP? What are the effects? How is alarin related to

GALP? Why is this significant?

The Research Aspect Hypothesis Methods & Techniques Observations

Overview What is GALP? What are the effects? How is alarin related to

GALP? Why is this significant?

The Research Aspect Hypothesis Methods & Techniques Observations

http://www.engelhard.com/images/Application/low%20res%20flasks%204.jpg

What is GALP?What is GALP? Stands for Galanin-Like Peptide Neuropeptide composed of 60 amino

acids Member of the galantide family

2 members: galanin & GALP Aren’t found on same chromosomes Have different effects in the brain

Found in neurons located in Arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus

Regulated by leptin and insulin

Stands for Galanin-Like Peptide Neuropeptide composed of 60 amino

acids Member of the galantide family

2 members: galanin & GALP Aren’t found on same chromosomes Have different effects in the brain

Found in neurons located in Arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus

Regulated by leptin and insulin

What are the Effects?What are the Effects?

Stimulates the hypothlamic-pituitary-gondal axis

Effects the release of reproductive hormones

Body weight and feeding behavior GALP production stimulates reproduction

Diseases affiliated with GALP: anorexia nervosa/exercise-induced anorexia & Type I diabetes

Stimulates the hypothlamic-pituitary-gondal axis

Effects the release of reproductive hormones

Body weight and feeding behavior GALP production stimulates reproduction

Diseases affiliated with GALP: anorexia nervosa/exercise-induced anorexia & Type I diabetes

Anorexia DiabetesAnorexia Diabetes

http://www.lostiempos.com/lecturas/07-01-07/fotos/anorexia.jpg

http://www.faqs.org/health/images/uchr_07_img0705.jpg

How is Alarin Related to GALP?How is Alarin Related to GALP? GALP discovered in 1998 Is an alternate transcript of GALP

gene Found in brain tumor cells:

neuroblastomas Both found on the same gene

GALP has 5 exons, alarin is missing exon 3 and therefore has 4 exons

GALP discovered in 1998 Is an alternate transcript of GALP

gene Found in brain tumor cells:

neuroblastomas Both found on the same gene

GALP has 5 exons, alarin is missing exon 3 and therefore has 4 exons

What We’re Looking ForWhat We’re Looking For

Can the alarin protein be isolated in the normal brain?

What does it control?

What are the effects?

Can the alarin protein be isolated in the normal brain?

What does it control?

What are the effects?

HypothesesHypotheses

Alarin has functions similar to GALP’s

Regulates body weight, food intake and reproductive behaviors

Alarin has functions similar to GALP’s

Regulates body weight, food intake and reproductive behaviors

Methods & TechniquesMethods & Techniques

Lateral Ventricle Cannulations In Vivo injections

PCR Look for alarin cDNA

ICC Look for cell bodies where alarin is

produced and where their axons project

Lateral Ventricle Cannulations In Vivo injections

PCR Look for alarin cDNA

ICC Look for cell bodies where alarin is

produced and where their axons project

ObservationsObservations

Alarin increases hunger Opposite effect of GALP

Rats injected with alarin display tranquil behavior Rats injected with alarin were found

laying down more often than normal

Alarin increases hunger Opposite effect of GALP

Rats injected with alarin display tranquil behavior Rats injected with alarin were found

laying down more often than normal

0

1

2

3

Fo

od

Inta

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(g

ram

s)

30 60 120 180 240

Minutes After Injection

5.0 nmol

1.0 nmol

PB

**

*

SummarySummary

Alarin exists naturally in mammalian brain

Although alarin increases food intake, its action appears to be very different from GALP

Alarin exists naturally in mammalian brain

Although alarin increases food intake, its action appears to be very different from GALP

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Dr. Gregory. S. Fraley Co-Workers Hope College Biology Department Hope College REACH Program NIH

Dr. Gregory. S. Fraley Co-Workers Hope College Biology Department Hope College REACH Program NIH