Galanin Signaling in the Brain Regulates Color Pattern Formation in Zebrafish (Current Biology)

Eskova et al. show that the neuropeptide galanin functions in the zebrafish brain to regulate peripheral thyroid hormone levels. Mutations in either galanin or galr1A, one of its receptors, lead to elevated levels of T4 thyroid hormone resulting in an easily visible pigmentation phenotype due to impaired interactions between the pigment cells.