Chimeric galanin analogs that function as antagonists in the CNS are full agonists in gastrointestinal smooth muscle

Galanin has numerous effects on gastrointestinal smooth muscle. However, because of the lack of specific inhibitors, it is not known which are physiological and which are pharmacological. This study investigates the ability of two chimeric galanin analogs, [# 1-galantide = (M-15) = [galanin (1-13)-substance P(5-11)] and #2-M-35[galanin(1-13)bradykinin (2-9)], which were recently reported to function as galanin-receptor antagonists in the CNS, to interact with galanin receptors on rat jejunal muscle strips or dispersed smooth muscle cells from guinea pig stomach. In both systems each chimeric analog had agonist activity and was as efficacious as galanin. Cross-desensitization experiments demonstrated that in the jejunal muscle strips, both chimeric analogs were causing muscle contraction by interacting with the galanin receptor. In dispersed smooth muscle cells, galanin, as well as each chimeric analog, caused muscle relaxation, whereas substance P and bradykinin both caused muscle contraction. Each chimeric analog was equipotent to galanin in inhibiting binding of 125I-galanin, and there was close agreement between their abilities to occupy the galanin receptor and cause relaxation. Each chimeric analog also activated adenylate cyclase and increased cAMP characteristic of relaxants. These studies demonstrate these chimeric analogs will not be useful for defining the physiological role of galanin in altering gastrointestinal motility, because they function as full galanin-receptor agonists instead of as galanin-receptor antagonists.