The GAL3 receptor is activated by the endogenous peptide galanin and is a member of the galanin receptor family. Currently, a total of three subtypes of galanin receptors, referred to as GAL1 (GalR1), GAL2 (GalR2), and GAL3 (GalR3), have been cloned from several species (human, rat, mouse). Each receptor subtype has a high sequence homology across species, but lower sequence similarities between different receptor subtypes within species. The GAL3 receptor is one of 3 distinct galanin receptors identified and has a distinct primary sequence and tissue distribution, being found in nervous and non-nervous tissues. A range of synthetic peptide ligands have high affinity for GAL3, but at present the pharmacology of GAL3 has only been characterized in vitro.