Ghrelin is the endogenous ligand for the ghrelin receptor, also known as the growth hormone secretagog receptor (GHS-R1a). Alternative splicing of preproghrelin yields two active peptides: ghrelin and des-Gln 14-ghrelin, which differ by the deletion of one amino acid.
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Ghrelin is the endogenous ligand for the ghrelin receptor, also known as the growth hormone secretagog receptor (GHS-R1a). Alternative splicing of the preproghrelin yields two active peptides: ghrelin and des-Gln 14-ghrelin, which differ by the deletion of one amino acid residue. The predominant form, ghrelin, is highly expressed in endocrine cells of the stomach, with low levels also found in the hypothalamus.
The G-protein-coupled ghrelin receptor is expressed in the pituitary, hypothalamus, hippocampus, gastrointestinal tract and the vasculature including the aorta, coronary arteries, pulmonary arteries, arcuate arteries, and saphenous veins. Ghrelin potently stimulates the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary. Ghrelin is thought to act on ghrelin receptors present on pituitary somatotrophs and on growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) positive cells in the hypothalamus triggering GHRH release. The peptide also acts as a potent vasodilator in vivo and in vitro.
Ghrelin peptide was the first circulating hormone shown to stimulate eating and weight gain. In humans circulating ghrelin levels are decreased in acute states of positive energy balance and obesity, and are elevated during weight loss induced by sustained fasting and anorexia nervosa. The development of ghrelin antagonists, or a means to inhibit ghrelin release may be an important pharmaceutical goal for the management of obesity.
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Written by Sonia Tucci, Lynsay Kobelis and Tim Kirkham, this review provides a synopsis of the increasing number of peptides that have been implicated in appetite regulation and energy homeostasis; putative roles of the major peptides are outlined and compounds available from Tocris are listed.
