Ghrelin

Literature References: Orexigenic hormone secreted primarily by the stomach and duodenum; implicated in meal-time hunger and long-term regulation of body weight. Identified as the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). Released in response to fasting, resulting in appetite stimulation by the hypothalamus and growth hormone secretion by the pituitary. Contains 28 amino acid residues of which one is acylated by n-octanoic acid. Octanoylation is essential for bioactivity, possibly to facilitate passage across the blood-brain barrier. Isoln from rat stomach and cloning and synthesis of human ghrelin: M. Kojima et al., Nature 402, 656 (1999). Effect on growth hormone release in humans: E. Arvat et al., J. Endocrinol. Invest. 23, 493 (2000). Structure-activity study: M. A. Bednarek et al., J. Med. Chem. 43, 4370 (2000). Identification of stomach as primary source and effect of feeding state on plasma levels: H. Ariyasu et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 86, 4753 (2001). Clinical role in meal initiation: D. E. Cummings et al., Diabetes 50, 1714 (2001); in regulation of body weight: idem et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 346, 1623 (2002). Reviews: A. Inui, Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 2, 1-10 (Aug. 2001); G. Wang et al., Regul. Pept. 105, 75-81 (2002); M. Kojima, K. Kangawa, Physiol. Rev. 85, 495-522 (2005).

Additional Names: Glycyl-L-seryl-O-(1-oxooctyl)-L-seryl-L-phenylalanyl-L-leucyl-L-seryl-L-prolyl-L-a-glutamyl-L-histidyl-L-glutaminyl-L-arginyl-L-valyl-L-glutaminyl-L-glutaminyl-L-arginyl-L-lysyl-L-a-glutamyl-L-seryl-L-lysyl-L-lysyl-L-prolyl-L-prolyl-L-alanyl-L-lysyl-L-leucyl-L-glutaminyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine; ghrelin (human clone CTB-187P1 gene GHRELIN)