Biological, Physiological, and Pharmacological Aspects of Ghrelin

Ghrelin, identified as an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, functions as a somatotrophic and orexigenic signal from the stomach. Ghrelin has a unique post-translational modification: the hydroxyl group of the third amino acid, usually a serine but in some species a thre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Pharmacological Sciences 2006, Vol.100(5), pp.398-410
Main Authors: Hosoda, Hiroshi, Kojima, Masayasu, Kangawa, Kenji
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
appetite regulation
Energy Metabolism
Feeding Behavior
GH-releasing peptide
Ghrelin
growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor
Human Growth Hormone - metabolism
Humans
Models, Biological
Peptide Hormones - chemistry
Peptide Hormones - genetics
Peptide Hormones - metabolism
Peptide Hormones - physiology
Polymorphism, Genetic
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - metabolism
Receptors, Ghrelin
stomach
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Summary:Ghrelin, identified as an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, functions as a somatotrophic and orexigenic signal from the stomach. Ghrelin has a unique post-translational modification: the hydroxyl group of the third amino acid, usually a serine but in some species a threonine, is esterified by octanoic acid and is essential for ghrelin’s biological activities. The secretion of ghrelin increases under conditions of negative energy-balance, such as starvation, cachexia, and anorexia nervosa, whereas its expression decreases under conditions of positive energy-balance such as feeding, hyperglycemia, and obesity. In addition to having a powerful effect on the secretion of growth hormone, ghrelin stimulates food intake and transduces signals to hypothalamic regulatory nuclei that control energy homeostasis. Thus, it is interesting to note that the stomach may play an important role in not only digestion but also pituitary growth hormone release and central feeding regulation. We summarized recent findings on the integration of ghrelin into neuroendocrine networks that regulate food intake, energy balance, gastrointestinal function and growth.
ISSN:1347-8613
1347-8648
DOI:10.1254/jphs.CRJ06002X